A4 Simple Dreams and Flying Machines

by KennaC

Sequel to Mad Season: Nancy and Murdock are both stretched pretty thin, and things aren't about to improve when Nancy brings home a couple of stray . . . kids, that is. What could make things any more hectic?

6. Finale

All the Cards

"I'm gonna make the rounds, HM," Face said as he turned and headed out the back door, "I'll see you in about 45 minutes." Murdock nodded as Face took off and turned to pull the fixings for sandwiches out of the refrigerator, he was getting hungry.

Upstairs Callie watched as Face headed out the back door, picking up the upstairs line and looking at the card anxiously. She sure hoped Hannibal was right about the surveillance.

Murdock was busy making the sandwiches for lunch when Callie and Jack came downstairs, "HM, can we take a walk out back?" she asked anxiously.

Murdock looked at her curiously, "Maybe after lunch, Cal . . ."

"Why don't we take our lunch with us," Callie suggested.

"Listen Strawberry, I don't know if you've noticed, but it's a little cold out for a picnic lunch," Murdock said, "Why don't you set the table?"

Callie glanced out the front window, as if looking for something. She took Murdock's arm, "HM, we need to go," she said apprehensively.

Murdock set the knife down and turned to look at her, "Callie, what is going on? What are you so spooked about?"

Callie's eyes were wide and frightened, "Please, HM, I've done something . . . bad, and we need to leave," after talking to Cuttey she was no longer so sure that the surveillance was going to be enough, he had known what was going on before she'd even told him.

"Just slow down and tell me what's going on . . ." That was when they heard the vehicle pull in the drive.

Jack was already at the front window, and he looked terrified as he backed away from the window and ran upstairs without a word.

Callie gasped, "It's Cuttey, HM, it's Cuttey and he's coming to get you."

"Get me?" Murdock asked disbelievingly, looking in consternation after Jack. He turned and walked towards the front room to see who had pulled in the drive, with Callie following close behind. In the drive was a white panel van, with no distinguishing markings, he was about to head back to call the Compound, when a gun appeared around the corner.

Murdock took Callie's arm, and moved her behind him, hissing, "Run out the front door and into the corn field, they can't find you in there . . ."

Callie looked towards the stairs, "Not without Jack," she said, still hoping she could come up with a way out of this mess for all of them.

Cuttey had appeared behind the gun, and raised it to point at Murdock's head, "Hello, Captain."

Murdock raised an eyebrow, "Is this some sort of new sales technique?"

Cuttey smiled humorlessly, "Always the comedian, Captain? Trust me, I'm no traveling sales man."

"I find that humor helps defuse tense situations. You know, everyone could do with more laughter in their life. For example, you would likely be in a much better mood if you just laughed more . . ."

"Shut the fuck up," Cuttey growled, "And walk this way . . . slowly."

Murdock nodded, "Shutting up," he said, moving slowly into the dining room, where Cuttey met him and grabbed his arm, pushing him back into the kitchen.

Cuttey looked at Callie, "Alright, kid," he said, "Now go upstairs and get your brother – I'll take you to your Mom."

Callie shook her head stubbornly, "I'm not going anywhere with you – that wasn't part of the deal. Me and Jack stay here."

Cuttey took her arm and shoved her roughly towards the stairs, "Listen you little bitch, do as I say, or you're gonna be sorry – and I know you know what I mean." Callie stumbled and started towards the stairs, casting anxious glances over her shoulder, hoping desperately that help was on the way.

Cuttey's eyes roved around the kitchen, and Murdock glanced around too, "Are you looking for something?"

Cuttey jabbed the gun at him again, "I said shut up!"

"Yea," Murdock said, "Um, do I at least get to know why I'm being held at gunpoint?"

Cuttey smiled, "This really isn't about you so much, as about your wife," he said, then leaned in, "But I think I'm going to enjoy it very much because you're involved."

"Gee, I like you too," Murdock said, "But if you touch my wife, I'm gonna kill you," he smiled.

Cuttey and Murdock looked at each other intently, when suddenly there was a clatter of footsteps down the stairs. Cuttey's attention was distracted from Murdock for a split second and Murdock took his chance. He charged Cuttey, slamming him against the wall, and pounded his hand against the wall until he dropped the gun.

Callie and Jack had appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Murdock caught their eyes, "Get out of here – go!" he bellowed at them, while Cuttey pushed him off and caught him with an uppercut to the jaw. Callie grabbed Jack's arm, and ran out the front door, dragging him after her.

Meanwhile, Murdock and Cuttey exchanged blows, until Murdock managed to catch one of the punches, and slammed Cuttey against the wall, leaving a bloody smear, "Well, Muchacho, looks like I'm not buying today," he said through clenched teeth.

Then he felt the cold barrel of a gun against his temple, "Let him go, Captain."

Murdock lifted his hands slowly and stepped back, "Should have learned from the bathroom – where there's a little scum, there's a lot."

"I told you to wait outside," Cuttey said angrily, ignoring Murdock.

"Well Cuttey – it looked like you could use a hand," Harrington said.

"I had it under control," Cuttey said, "Did you get the kids?"

"Yea, Paganini got 'em as they left the house."

Cuttey looked at Murdock, "Good, take him and secure all of 'em in the back of the van. We've wasted too much time here already. I'll be out as soon as the bugs are set."

Jack looked at his sister with wild eyes, trying to wrench his arm out of the grasp of the thug that had them. Callie was standing there resignedly; nothing was working out the way she had planned.

"Hold still, kid, or I'm gonna knock ya silly, hear?" Paganini growled, trying to subdue Jack.

Callie looked at Jack severely, "Stay still or he'll hurt ya," she ordered.

Harrington came out, pulling a handcuffed and reluctant Murdock with him. He looked at Murdock, indicating the kids, "Behave – or I'm gonna start breakin' fingers," he smiled evilly, "We'll start with the boy."

Murdock glared at him, but did cooperate. He looked at the kids, "Don't worry, just do what they say," he advised.

"That's right, be good little people and we won't have to hurt you . . . too bad."

The three were herded to the van, where Murdock was roughly shoved in the side door. Harrington grabbed Jack's arm and tossed a rope from the back of the van to Paganini, "Better tie the kids up, just in case they get any funny ideas."

Paganini tied Jack's hands securely behind him, then used the other end to tie Callie's hands behind her – so they were bound with the same rope with about a two foot length between them.

Paganini handed the spare rope to Harrington, "Here, Jimmie, get 'em settled in the van – I'm gonna go make sure Cuttey don't need no help."

Lewis came running from behind the house, "Peck is out of commission," he said as he sat down in the van.

"What did you do to Face?" Murdock asked, his voice strained.

"Don't worry, Captain, the pretty boy's not dead, just knocked out."

A few minutes later Cuttey and Paganini came out of the house and loaded in the van. Then they peeled out of the drive. The entire operation had taken only 20 minutes.

Nancy was not at all impressed by the FBI detail that awaited them at the DA's office, and quickly made her choice to remain in Abel custody known, "Agent Edgerton, if there's anything that Stockwell Enterprises can do to help with Jasmine and Terra, we could certainly accommodate them."

Hannibal was distracted by his cell phone ringing and picked it up as he stepped out into the hall, leaving the discussion, "Smith," he said tersely.

"Colonel," Hannibal immediately recognized Larry's voice, "We, um, we have a problem."

"What?"

"Well, there's interference on the surveillance at Murdock's," Larry said uncertainly, "We've tried everything. All the connections look solid but we're not getting anything but snow. I didn't know if I should call . . ."

"Get an Abel detail over there – NOW," Hannibal said loudly, causing the office door to pop open.

Nancy looked out, "What's wrong, Colonel?" she asked worriedly, taking in the tension in Hannibal's face.

"Hopefully, it's just sun spots," Hannibal said quietly, but he had a really bad feeling, "We better get headed back to home base, just in case."

At the house they met an Abel detail, and two very worried recruits. Hannibal walked up to Larry, "Tell me exactly what happened."

Larry was shaking his head, "It couldn't have been more than 10 minutes before we called you, Colonel. Lieutenant Peck had headed out for routine recon and the Captain was making lunch . . ."

Jeff Kent looked at Nancy uneasily before speaking, "They took Murdock and the kids, Colonel. They must have had jamming equipment . . . and we haven't found the Lieutenant yet."

Just then a voice crackled over the radio, "We've got Peck, he's alright."

Nancy's arms were crossed as she carefully pulled herself together before turning to look at Hannibal. She motioned around the house, "We need to survey the outside of the house – check everything. I want to know if there's a rock out of place," she said tersely, heading around the end of the house and towards the driveway.

Hannibal looked at Jeff worriedly, "Don't let her out of your sight."

Ten minutes later, BA was sweeping the house while Hannibal, Nancy, Jeff, and Andy talked on the back deck about what they'd been able to surmise. Face was propped up, only half-conscious, in one of the deck chairs.

Nancy finished describing the tire tracks out of the drive, "Definitely a 1-ton truck body, given the wheel base," she said, "they headed north back towards Langley when they left."

Hannibal nodded, "Jeff, we need to check and see if we can get anything from the surveillance tapes."

"I'm on it, Colonel."

"Face," Hannibal turned to his Lieutenant, thankful that they had chosen to knock him out rather than kill him, "Did you see anything?"

"I'm afraid not," Face mumbled, "Had to be Lewis, caught me with a dart while I was on recon. Andy found me right where I dropped."

Half an hour later, BA had finished checking the house and found four bugs in the process.

"They high-tech, Hannibal," BA said, "these guys knew what they was doin'. Good thing we got this new sweeper, otherwise we wouldn't of picked 'em up."

"I got a bad feeling, Hannibal," Face said, more alert but still light-headed, he remained seated in the deck chair. He glanced over worriedly at Nancy who was again standing in the side yard looking at the tracks leading across from the front porch, "If they want Nancy they sure do have the collateral for it now. This is bad news."

Hannibal nodded agreement, his look self recriminating, "I should have expected this – if you can't take the primary target, drop back and punt. I've been out of the field too long. This should never have happened . . ."

"If anyone should have anticipated this, it was me," Nancy said, from at his elbow, "This was a very Kennedy-like move. I knew something didn't feel right, I just couldn't put my finger on it."

Hannibal shook his head, "Now isn't the time to second guess what's been done. We need to figure out where they've been taken. Preferably before the demand comes in. If we aren't careful, we're going to end up in the submissive position. We need to find out as much as possible before that happens."

"Nan's right, this screams Kennedy," Face said.

"Agreed," Nancy said, "And I'd say Cuttey and his team are still our most likely candidates. The question now is, how do we find them?"

Hannibal smiled, his eyes sparking with the jazz, "Well, why don't we just go ask Kennedy? Even if he's not 'involved' I'll bet he has a handle on where the action is."

Upon arrival at the warehouse, Cuttey hooked a thumb over his shoulder, "Take 'em up and put 'em in with Nee for now," he looked at Murdock through narrowed eyes, "Make sure he's cuffed to somethin' – and watch him. I don't want to take any chances."

Ideally, Cuttey would have liked to put Murdock straight down in his 'room' – but this opportunity had come a little quicker than anticipated, and they didn't quite have everything ready yet.

Lewis and Harrington took them upstairs, cuffing Murdock to a pipe that ran through the corner of the room.

Lewis pulled on the cuffs one more time, then looked at Murdock with a little smile, "Don't worry, Captain, this is just temporary. We have much better accommodations for you downstairs."

Lewis and Harrington disappeared out the door and they could hear the lock click. Callie and Jack were still tied together, but moved together to the bed, "Oh my God," Callie breathed, "It's Mom."

Murdock stood, surveying the pipe he was cuffed to – he might be able to get one of the joints apart, and started working on it, "Is your Mom awake?"

Callie shook her head, "No – she's out," she turned so she could shake her mother's shoulder, which caused Juanita to groan and roll over, but not wake up, "She's still out, HM."

Murdock was not having any luck getting the joint loosened, "Look around, see if there's anything we could use as a wrench – I need to get this pipe joint loose."

Callie and Jack looked all over the small room, but other than the roll-away bed that Juanita was lying on, there was nothing else in the room, "I'm sorry, HM, there's nothing," Callie said hopelessly.

Murdock turned and looked at the two children, Jack had been unusually silent since they'd arrived, "You OK, Buddy?" he asked with forced cheerfulness, "We'll get outta this. Hannibal, Face, BA – they're already lookin' for us. Trust me."

Juanita groaned again, and sat up painfully, holding a hand to her stomach. She was starting to lose track of reality and when she opened her eyes, the double vision and colorful halos didn't help any. She looked at Callie and Jack in confusion, "Man, I'm really losin' it," she said to herself, dropping back on the bed and closing her eyes, willing her head to stop spinning and trying desperately to keep her bile from rising.

Callie turned in surprise, "Mom, you're awake?" she rushed to her mother's side, dragging Jack with her.

Juanita opened her eyes again, "Cal-girl, is that really you?" she asked in surprise.

"Mom, what has Cuttey done to you?" Callie asked in concern.

Juanita reached up and put a hand to her mouth. By now the swelling had gone down, but her entire mouth had turned vivid shades of purple and green, "I'm OK, sweetheart," she said, knowing it was a lie.

She turned her head when she heard something thudding against metal in the corner, "Who are you?"

Murdock looked over at the woman lying in the bed. It seemed like a lifetime ago that they had first started their search for Juanita Temple, "I'm HM Murdock, Juanita, it's nice to meet you."

"HM Murdock?" she repeated curiously, the name sounded vaguely familiar, but she wasn't sure why, "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to get loose," Murdock said, turning his attention back to the pipe joint.

"Mom, HM and his wife, Nancy have been watching me and Jack – they're our foster parents," Callie said in explanation.

"Oh," Juanita said weakly, just before a coughing spasm racked her slight frame.

Murdock turned in concern, but just as quickly as it had started, it stopped and Juanita sat gasping for breath.

"Strawberry," Murdock said, "Come here and kick at this joint – see if that loosens it any."

Callie dragged Jack with her again, and with Jack steadying her as best he could, she kicked at the joint with all her strength. She and Jack both fell to the floor, as Murdock encouraged them to get up and try again, "Kick at it this way," Indicating the left side of the joint.

Callie did it again, this time managing to remain on her feet. Murdock tried to turn the joint with his hand, cursing when it still wouldn't give, "Try again, Cal."

Callie did it again, and this time it did move, a little. Murdock excitedly put his hand over the joint connector, but he couldn't get a good grip, "Jack," he said urgently, "Come here and give me your baseball cap."

Jack complied and Murdock used the cap to improve his grip, managing to get the connector to move. It took some time, but he did get it loose and managed to pull the joint apart, getting himself and the floor wet in the process.

He noticed a valve near the ceiling and reached up and turned the water off.

"Good job, you two," he said encouragingly, "I couldn't've done that without you."

He hurried over to the bed, "Juanita," he said gently, his look reflecting concern, "How long have you been here?" The bruises looked at least a couple days old.

"Please call me Nee," she said, "I'm not sure . . . few days maybe."

Callie was looking at her arms, "Looks like she's been shot up at least a half dozen times," she said quietly, noting the needle tracks. Her mother had never been big on needles, so Cuttey had to have been administering the drugs.

Murdock had an advantage of having his hands in front of him, and he had to know if they could move Juanita. He ran exploratory hands down her arms and legs, then palpitated her abdomen, which caused her to cry out in pain, "How long have you had this pain?"

"It's been gettin' worse," Nee slurred, "Only thing that helps is the shots," she looked at Murdock through watery, red-rimmed eyes.

Murdock stood up, weighing his options, which at the moment were slim to none. Nee couldn't be moved. He wasn't cuffed to the pipe anymore, but he was sure cuffed to that room.

He looked at Nee, then at the kids, "We just have to trust that help is on the way."

BA pulled up outside of Mi Mama's Casa and parked. Hannibal turned in his seat, "Alright, Face, BA, Andy and I . . . we'll do a quick in and out," he looked at Nancy, "I want you to stay out here – Jeff, stay and keep an eye on her."

Nancy's jaw clenched, but she didn't protest, just sat back and glowered.

Jeff looked at her, then looked at Hannibal, "Gee, thanks Hannibal."

They walked through the restaurant, past the patrons who didn't seem at all surprised by the gun-toting crew. Face flattened the guard at the entrance to the back room. Hannibal walked in and directly over to where Kennedy was sitting with three other men drinking and playing cards. He nodded to BA, who grabbed the back of Kennedy's chair and pulled him out from the table, spilling his drink and scattering cards across the floor.

Kennedy looked at him calmly, "Shame to waste good scotch like that."

Hannibal pulled out his hand gun and pointed it at Kennedy's head, "I want to know where my pilot is – NOW."

Kennedy smiled and pushed the gun aside, "Now that's no way to get information, Colonel Smith. Surely you've refined your cowboy methods by now."

"I'll refine my methods all over your face, sucker," BA growled, grabbing the back of Kennedy's collar and pulling him out of his chair, "Now answer the man's question."

Kennedy smiled smugly, "Well trained beast, aren't you?"

BA's growl deepened as he tightened his grip.

In the van Jeff was watching with interest as Hannibal and the others disappeared into the restaurant, "Hannibal sure does like the front door," he commented casually. He was seated next to the rear door and effectively blocked Nancy from leaving the van.

Nancy looked at Jeff, then stood, and crouching moved between the front seats, dropping into the seat Hannibal had just vacated.

Jeff hadn't expected her to move, and put a surprised hand on her shoulder, "Where are you going?"

Nancy wrenched the door open, "Inside."

Jeff pulled the sliding door open and caught Nancy's arm as she shut the passenger side door, "Hannibal said to wait out here."

Nancy looked at Jeff through narrowed eyes, "Who signs your paycheck, Kent?"

"That's an empty threat, Nan," Jeff said quietly.

Nancy jerked her arm out of his grip, "Yea, maybe, but if you're gonna stop me you better mean it."

She turned and walked resolutely towards the restaurant. Jeff watched for a moment, considering his options, and decided that she was right, he wanted to be in there almost as much as she did.

Nancy walked into the back room of the restaurant a minute later, with Jeff following closely behind.

Hannibal's eyes were glittering with anger, "I want to know where Murdock and the kids are, Kennedy, and you're gonna tell me."

Kennedy's face was turning red as BA squeezed his neck, "You heard the man, sucka, where's Murdock and the kids?"

"I don't know," Kennedy choked.

BA squeezed tighter, and the veins on Kennedy's neck stood out, "I ain't playin' man . . ." BA's voice was low and menacing, and he was nose to nose with Kennedy.

Nancy put a hand on Hannibal's arm, "Let me talk to him, Hannibal," she said quietly.

Hannibal looked at her in surprise, then his eyes flashed to Jeff, who shrugged and stood on the other side of the entrance to the room from Andy.

He turned back to BA, making a decision he barked, "Ease up, BA," he stepped back and nodded to Nancy.

Nancy looked at Kennedy through narrowed eyes, "Is Cuttey doin' you dirty work for you, Kennedy?"

BA had loosened his grip, and Kennedy swiveled his head experimentally. Then he looked at Nancy with glittering eyes, "Why if it isn't the lovely Nancy Clay Murdock – in pregnant splendor," he said snidely, "About 6 or 7 months along, right? Pity if you had to raise those children on your own . . ."

BA white-knuckled, again – he was rapidly loosing patience with the situation. Nancy crossed her arms, "Let him go, BA."

BA looked at Nancy in surprise, but at Hannibal's nod, complied, shoving Kennedy into the table as he stepped back. Kennedy stood and smoothed his shirt, "Very good – does he sit and fetch as well?"

"What do you want, Kennedy?" Nancy asked, "Let my husband and the kids go – this is between you and me."

Kennedy smirked, "What do I want . . .," he said, standing and looking at Nancy shrewdly, "Well, I want a lot of things . . . but as to why someone would kidnap innocent people," he shrugged, "If I had to guess, it could be to punish you," he looked in her eyes directly, his voice dripping with malice, "take away all that you love and leave you totally alone. I would say that your husband is in a great deal of danger . . . if I had to venture a guess."

Nancy looked at him, her expression helpless, which made Kennedy's smile that much broader, "Please, tell me where they are," she pleaded.

Kennedy smirked at her, "I have no idea where they are."

Nancy looked at him narrowly, finally turned away, "He's telling the truth," she said, "He doesn't know where they are."

Hannibal glared at Kennedy, "This isn't over, Kennedy – you better watch your back." At his signal, they all followed Nancy out of the bar – BA and Face bringing up the rear.

They climbed in the van and Hannibal turned and looked at Nancy severely, "If you can't obey orders, you're going to stay home," he shook his head, "What the hell was that all about, anyway?"

"It was about baiting him, Hannibal," she said directly, "This is all about control – Kennedy wants control over me. I showed him that he has it. It had to be me in there. You know that or you wouldn't have called BA off."

Hannibal sighed, Nancy knew what she was doing, he knew that, but he had trouble reconciling that with the pregnant woman sitting in front of him, "OK, so, now what?" he said, then looked at her directly, "You're the expert – what should we expect?"

Nancy sat back, crossing her arms, "He'll make me wait – suffer," she said, letting herself slip into Kennedy's mind, "Then he'll take me to HM . . .," her thoughts wandered as she considered a worse case and best case scenario – neither looked good for Murdock.

Hannibal was reading her mind, "Will it be too late?"

Hannibal saw the flicker of raw fear, before Nancy quickly concealed it, "Almost," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hannibal turned to BA, "You got him bugged, right?"

"All set, Colonel," BA said, reaching down and flipping on the receiver.

Kennedy's voice crackled over the receiver as they pulled out into traffic, "That bitch is going to regret the day she fucked with me."

"I'm hungry," Jack whined, again.

"Just shut up, Jackie," Callie said irritably, "We're all hungry."

Murdock smiled tolerantly at the two, "It's not going to do any good to get angry with each other," he said quietly, "This is the time when we need to stick together, alright?"

Both children nodded in silent agreement. Murdock turned and looked up at the pipe again, "A drink of water might help . . ." he motioned the kids over to the corner and cracked the valve, so there was a trickle of water coming out. He allowed each of the kids to drink their fill, then took a quick drink himself.

He looked around, "Can you two think of any way to get a drink to your Mom?"

Callie came up with it first, "What about soaking a blanket or something in water and wringing it out in her mouth."

"Good thinkin', Strawberry," Murdock said, pulling out Jack's ball cap again, "This might work."

He held it under the stream of water, allowing it to get saturated, then carrying it over and wringing it into Nee's mouth. She drank greedily, unable to remember when she'd last had anything to eat or drink.

Murdock started back to the pipe, then stopped, "C'mon, guys, let's see if we can get this bed moved against this wall . . ."

"So it's not so far to carry the water," Callie finished.

"Right," he said, as they rolled the bed against the wall by the pipe, "You'll also be able to reach the valve if you need to Strawberry – by standing on the bed."

Callie stopped, "But you can reach the valve without the bed, HM . . ." she said, the import of what he was saying slowly sinking in.

Murdock licked his lips, they needed to face reality here if they were going to survive. He needed Callie thinking clearly, not falling apart.

"Listen, Cal, it's only a matter of time until they come to get me," he said earnestly, "But you gotta keep sharp – a chance to escape could come at any time. I need you to stay alert," he glanced at Jack, whose wide hazel eyes were reflecting intense fear, "Both of you need to stay on your toes. You gotta be ready when Hannibal and the others show up."

"But HM, what's gonna happen to you?" Callie choked.

"I'm not sure, Strawberry, but that's not what you need to worry about," he said sternly, "You gotta worry about your brother and your mother – they're gonna need you. You gotta keep hydrated – keep drinking and make sure your Mom gets plenty to drink."

"But what if I need to pee?" Jack asked practically.

Murdock pointed to the opposite side of the room, "Go in that corner and rinse it with a little water if it starts to smell."

They finished pushing the bed against the wall, and Murdock ferried more water to Nee, forcing her to drink until she was satisfied. Then he motioned to the kids, "I'm gonna put myself back on the pipe, but I won't tighten the joint. When you need water you know what to do."

"Won't they wonder why we've moved the bed?"

Murdock shrugged, "Maybe, just . . . tell them there was a draft from the window."

"HM," Callie said, as he settled on the floor by the bed, his hands once more cuffed to the pipe, "I'm scared."

"I know, Strawberry," he said, "I know, but you gotta believe that help is gonna come. Have faith that you're gonna get through this . . . that we're all gonna get through this."

"Why don't you two curl up on the foot of the bed with your Mom and try to get some sleep," he suggested.

"Nothing from Kennedy, yet, Colonel," Face said in frustration, "He and Smith and two other guys are just sittin' there playin' poker like nothing is going on."

Hannibal shook his head, "Not much to do but sit on 'em, Lieutenant," he said quietly, "The recruits will monitor the transmissions – we'll know if anything happens. Now let's go over the contingency planning one more time."

Zeb rubbed a hand over his eyes, "We've been through the contingencies at least a dozen times, Hannibal," he said wearily.

"And we'll go over them a dozen more," Hannibal growled, "When the demand comes in we're going to have to make a quick decision. They aren't going to give us time to do more than react, and we need to be ready."

It was late when the door opened and Lewis and Harrington walked in to get Murdock. The kids awoke, and Nee groaned when the bed shook from their movements.

Murdock looked at Harrington severely, "She needs to see a doctor."

"She just needs her next fix – Cuttey should be up with it soon."

"C'mon, Captain," Lewis said snidely, "Your destiny awaits."

Callie and Jack watched fearfully as Murdock was led out, "HM?"

"It'll be alright," Murdock said soothingly.

"Oh, I think not, Captain," Harrington said with a chuckle.

As the door shut behind them, Harrington looked at the guard at the door, "Go ahead and untie the kids – they aren't a threat." He nodded and went in to comply.

"Cuttey didn't say to untie the kids," Lewis said uncertainly.

"They're just kids," Harrington said dismissively.

Purgatory

Two days later, nothing had changed and everyone was beginning to show the strain. It was about 11 pm, and Face and Kit Kelly, the supplies agent for the new team, were just relieving Jeff and Andy of Nancy-sitting duty. The local Able forces were stretched to the breaking point. Carl had been brought to the house, in an attempt to minimize collateral damage.

"How's Nancy holding up?" Face asked, he hadn't seen her since the day before.

Carl shrugged, "She took a shower, then finally fell asleep a couple hours ago – so at least she's finally getting some rest."

Face rubbed a hand over his eyes, "I think we're all starting to feel it – this waiting is hell. I wish they'd make a goddamn move. Anything would be better than this."

Jeff touched Face's shoulder to get his attention, "Hang in there," he said, as he motioned to Andy, "We'll take a last recon before we leave. 'Night."

She was running down a dark alley, her heart pounding in her ears, and her breath coming in rasps. She kept looking over her shoulder. She could see nothing but shadows pursuing her, but she knew they were sinister. Were they getting closer? She couldn't tell, but raw fear kept her running, even though it felt like her heart would burst from her rib cage. Up ahead she could see a light, but it wasn't getting any closer. Wouldn't anyone help her? If she squinted into the light she could see someone beckoning, but she couldn't make out who it was, because the light was behind them and was blinding her. She slowed her pace and shaded her eyes, trying to make the person out.

A door appeared on her left and she stopped and opened it, hoping for a route of escape. When the door opened, it blocked the light from the end of the tunnel, plunging her into darkness. The smell of chloroform filled her nostrils as she struggled to remain awake. She could feel herself being swallowed up by the blackness, but she resisted, backing into the tunnel and slamming the door. She turned and continued towards the light where the figure was still beckoning, closer now, as if she had somehow leaped ahead when she slammed the door.

She slowly walked ahead, glancing behind her anxiously. The shadows had fallen behind, but she could still feel their presence, advancing, but not an immediate threat. Her heart was pounding, and she knew she couldn't turn back, but she was also afraid to move forward towards the light, though it was a different, unfamiliar sort of fear. She stumbled to a stop, shading her eyes against the light and trying vainly to make out the person beckoning – it was a small person, shorter even then her slight 5'3" frame.

The figure turned, and in turning blocked enough of the light for Nancy to make out . . . a child, a little girl, with auburn curls and big brown eyes. She looked vaguely familiar, and Nancy moved forward slowly, taking the small hand that was held out to her, "You were almost too late – we've been waiting for you, but you weren't ready yet."

"Ready for what?" Nancy asked.

"Are you ready now?" she asked, her gaze wide and innocent.

"Ready for what?" Nancy asked, again, desperately, "What am I supposed to be ready for?"

The little girl's expression turned sad, "I guess you aren't ready . . ." her fingers slipped out of Nancy's hand and she started moving away, the light rapidly fading.

Nancy panicked as the darkness enveloped her again, "No, please, don't leave me here . . . please, help me. What do I need to do to be ready?"

The girl's sweet voice surrounded her, but was quickly fading into the distance, as if coming down a long tunnel, "Get ready soon . . . we'll be coming . . ."

Nancy started running again – but the light kept moving farther away until it was a mere pinprick in the distance, "Please," she begged, her breath coming in painful rasps, "What do I need to do? Please tell me!"

The shadows were closing in again, and she ran harder, trying desperately to get back to the little girl and find out what she needed to do to leave this place. She felt a hand grasp her shoulder and swung out blindly . . .

Face had heard Nancy talking and thought she was awake but had quickly realized, upon entering the bedroom, that she was having a nightmare. He reached down and put a hand on her shoulder, barely dodging the fist that swung up at him, "Nancy, it's OK, it's just a dream . . ." he said soothingly, holding her arms to still her thrashing.

She opened her eyes and realized who was there. Suddenly the waking nightmare of the last two days came back to her as she realized that it wasn't Murdock that was trying to sooth her. She felt like reality no longer existed for her anymore. Awake and asleep, the nightmare was in control, and she felt her life with Murdock slipping away. Silent tears slid down her cheeks, and Face put his arms around her, patting her back, "Don't worry, Nan," he said quietly, "we'll find him. Murdock's tough – he'll be alright."

Nancy's breath was coming in sobs, "I can't do this without him, Face."

Nancy rolled over and looked at the clock. It was after 9 am. She sat up and threw the covers off, sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her head in her hands. The frustration and stress of the last two days was making her feel strung out. She stood up and walked over to the dresser, pulling out a drawer and taking out clean underclothes. Next she pulled out another drawer and found out a pair of socks. Then she walked over to the closet and went to open the door, but the knob came off in her hand. She looked at the knob for a few seconds, then turned and flung it across the room. It hit the wall with a loud crack, then thudded onto the floor, rolling for several seconds before coming to rest near the foot of the bed.

Face and Kit came running up, guns drawn, "Are you OK?" Face asked worriedly, scanning the bedroom. Carl brought up the rear, sighing with relief to see his daughter standing and apparently unharmed.

Nancy had her arms crossed and took a deep calming breath, "I'm fine – just having a little trouble getting the closet open."

Kit and Face put their guns away. Face walked over and picked up the knob, "This would probably help," he said, walking back towards the closet.

Nancy watched him trying to figure out how to get the door open with the knob for about a minute, before turning and picking up a large screw driver off the dresser. She motioned for Face to step aside. She shoved the screw driver in through the hole where the door knob usually was and they could hear the other side of the knob assembly clatter to the floor. She wedged the screw driver in place and yanked the door open.

Face raised an eyebrow, "Guess you know how to handle that . . ."

Nancy bent and picked up the other end of the knob assembly and looked at it sadly, "You know, HM has been saying he'd fix that ever since we moved into this house . . ."

Face took it from her and squeezed her hand, "I'll make sure he fixes it as soon as he gets back."

Nancy smiled at him wanly, "Thanks, Face."

Carl put a reassuring arm around her shoulders, "Get dress, and come down stairs to get some coffee – we just made a fresh pot. You'll feel better after you've had a chance to wake up."

Face turned to Kit, "It's your turn for recon . . ." the two men headed into the hall, with Carl following and pulling the bedroom door shut behind them.

Nancy dressed quickly and ran a brush through her hair before heading downstairs. She murmured 'thank you' to her father when he handed her a cup of coffee, "How are you feeling this morning?" he asked quietly.

Nancy took a sip of coffee, "Lousy."

The phone rang, and Nancy and Face looked at each other. They were on strict orders not to use the land lines. Nancy set her cup down on the counter and hurried into the dining room with Face on her heels. He picked up a set of earphones, nodding to Nancy, he hit the trace trigger as she picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Is this Nancy Murdock?" the voice was disguised and muffled and difficult to understand.

"Yes, this is Nancy Murdock."

"Do you want to see your husband, Mrs. Murdock?"

Nancy's jaw tensed, "Where is he?"

"Not so fast. If you want to see you husband alive again, you will follow my instructions to the letter. Understood?"

"What about Callie and Jack?"

"They are here as well. Listen carefully, I'm only going to repeat this once."

"Drive into the LCC and take a cab into the Lincoln Memorial. You'll be contacted there with further instructions. You better leave now. If you aren't there by 10:30, your husband is dead."

"Let me talk to him," Nancy said, but heard only the resounding click on the other end of the line.

She looked at Face, "Did you get the trace?"

Face put the earphones down, shaking his head in regret. He pulled out his cell, "I'm going to call Hannibal."

"Tell him to bring a wire and a beacon – and he better hurry. I've gotta get moving."

No Good Ideas

"I don't like this," Face said.

Hannibal sighed, "We knew this was how it was likely to go down," he said, not that that made the situation any more palatable, "I don't want to send Nancy in there anymore than you do, but we all agree, it's the best chance we're going to have to recover all of them – hopefully alive."

"Murdock is going to be furious . . . if he survives this," Face said, "You know he wouldn't want Nancy in there."

"We've been over this, Lieutenant," Hannibal said irritably, three dozen to be exact, "Every other contingency has ended with Murdock dead, and Nancy still having to go in because of the kids. Cuttey's holding all the cards right now – we gotta go with it until we find an out."

BA came striding in, "I got the wires, Hannibal."

"Let's go."

Nancy was in her home office talking on her cell phone when Hannibal, Face, and BA came in, "OK, Joe – thanks for the backup. Hannibal will be directing the operation, and we're taking the new team in for support, along with all available Able agents. We're mainly going to need you for the cleanup."

"You be careful, Nancy," Joe said, unnecessarily, "Trixie will never forgive me if she finds out I went along with this."

"I'll be OK, Joe," Nancy said, with more confidence than she felt, "Thanks – looks like it's time to go. I'll see you – soon!"

"Ready to be wired," Nancy said, turning to BA with a smile.

BA took a deep breath, looking at Nancy ruefully. Nancy raised an eyebrow, "What do you need me to do, BA?"

"Hmm," BA said reflectively, "I want to make this one easy to find, but not too easy or they'll know it's a setup."

He glanced at Hannibal, "What do you think, man?"

"How about in the shoe?" Hannibal asked.

BA nodded, "OK." He worked quickly to get Nancy set with the wire, "They'll find this quick. I'm gonna fit you wi' an activated beacon bud. They'll probably scan you with a sweep – so they'll find that one too."

"OK," Nancy said uncertainly, "How about one they won't find?"

"Here," BA said with a broad grin, handing Nancy two barrettes, "These are dead right now. Leave them off until you find Murdock and the kids. Then hit this pressure switch right here," he demonstrated, and the beacon in his other hand started registering a signal, "They won' find 'em, long as they aren't activated," he turned them back off and handed them to Nancy.

Nancy put them in her hair, reaching up to adjust, her fingers getting the feel for the pressure switch. After a couple trials of being able to get them on, BA switched them off and stood back.

Nancy held out her hands, "Well, guess I'm ready to roll," she smiled, "See you soon?"

"I know this doesn't really need to be said, but be careful. If it is Cuttey that has them, he's lethal."

"Yea," Nancy agreed, "But he's also a classic abuser – he is bound to underestimate a pregnant woman. I just need to make sure he thinks I'm good and helpless."

"Face, check out BA's work," Hannibal ordered, "you know what we're looking for – findable but not obviously so."

Face patted Nancy down and nodded, "She'll do, I don't think they'll find the bud until they do an electronic sweep. Maybe if we get lucky they won't find it at all."

Nancy grinned, "And, you didn't find my piece."

Hannibal chuckled, "Where is it?" he asked curiously.

"Taped under my protruding belly," Nancy said, "Sometimes it comes in handy for something besides carrying babies after all."

Nancy was standing at the LCC gate half an hour later waiting for her cab. It pulled up within five minutes, and Nancy got in, "Lincoln Memorial."

The cab pulled away from the curb and Nancy glanced up at the license hanging from the mirror. The photo showed a sandy haired kid with a lopsided grin, and she noticed that her driver was dark-haired.

Looking in the rear view mirror the driver lowered his sunglasses slightly, looking at her, "Hello, Mrs. Murdock," he said menacingly, "Ready to see your husband? I'm afraid we have to make a quick pit stop - it won't take long."

At the chop shop, Harrington pointed to Lumpy and Ethan, "You two, come here."

They walked over and stood in front of Harrington expectantly, "I got a special job for you today," he said, handing Lumpy, the slighter of the two a wig, "You'll be needing this."

Lumpy took the wig and looked at it curiously, but didn't ask any questions.

Harrington then turned to Ethan, "You'll need these," he handed him a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses.

Back in the van, BA, Hannibal, Face, and Jeff were waiting in the parking lot, watching the beacon carefully.

"Let's get moving BA," Hannibal said, "I don't want to lose them."

The beacon continued to move for the next 10 minutes, then stopped, and BA pulled over to the edge of the road, "Should we move in Colonel?"

Hannibal shook his head, "No way they'd have Murdock and the kids in this close – they're probably just stopped and making a search before they move on. This is the moment of truth."

Cuttey pulled into the chop shop and cut the engine. He stepped out as Harrington opened the rear door. Cuttey reached in and pulled Nancy out roughly, "sweep her."

They found both of the activated buds immediately, and Cuttey sighed, "You're a bad, bad girl, Mrs. Murdock," he said, dropping the bud from her shoe on the floor and crushing it under foot. The other bud he threw into the back of the cab.

"Anything else you'd care to tell me about?"

"Hang on," Paganini said, looking at the readout on the instrument he was holding, "she's got something else," he reached up and roughly pulled the barretts out of her hair, taking wads of hair with them. He looked at them admiringly, "Dead beacons with pressure switches – pretty slick," he smiled as he held them out to Cuttey, who took them and threw them in the back of the cab as well.

"Is that everything?"

Paganini grinned at Nancy lewdly, "We could do a strip search."

Cuttey shook his head humorlessly, "No time. Where's Harrington?"

"Here he comes," Lewis said, as Harrington led Lumpy and Ethan to the cab.

Ethan managed to keep his surprise hidden at seeing Nancy there. He was wearing the cap and the sunglasses, which certainly helped. Nancy glanced at him, but her face registered no recognition.

Lumpy was itching his head, "This thing is hot," he complained.

Cuttey handed Ethan the key, "You keep this cab moving, straight out of town and up into the mountains, you hear me?"

"Get in the back," Lewis directed Lumpy.

Lumpy didn't question the big man, simply slid into the back seat and closed the door.

Ethan opened the driver's door, and slid behind the wheel, "What's goin' on?"

"It's none o' your business, kid," Harrington said, "Just keep driving and you won't get your ass kicked – got it?"

Ethan nodded, watching unobtrusively while he buckled his seat belt. Cuttey pulled a black hood over Nancy's head then grabbed her roughly by the arm, dragging her over to a 1982 black Buick LaSabre. Her hands were quickly cuffed behind her back before she was shoved unceremoniously into the back seat, with the big burly guy sliding in after her.

Ethan turned the key in the ignition, then looked at Harrington over the tops of the sunglasses, "Hey Mr. Harrington, how do I know when to stop?"

"When you run out of gas, kid," Harrington said snidely, before turning to get into the LaSabre.

Ethan's thoughts were whirling as he pulled out of the chop shop and headed west. Something was definitely wrong, he had to find a way to contact BA.

"They only found one of the beacons," BA said happily, "And they're on the move again."

"Alright, BA, let's go," Hannibal said, thankful that something was going right.

After driving for about 15 minutes, Ethan pulled over into a gas station, which caused Lumpy to panic, "Hey, Mr. Harrington said to keep moving."

"I gotta take a piss, man," Ethan lied easily, "I'll be right back."

Ethan ducked around the side of the gas station, stopping at a phone booth out of sight of the cab. He picked up the phone and dialed the Langley Community Center – hopefully BA was there.

At the LCC, Charlotte was sitting in the office looking reflectively out the window. The last three days she had immersed herself in work, finding it therapeutic to forget what was going on in her fiance's adopted family. Unfortunately, having Nancy picked up at the Center had caused the rumors to start flying, and Char was having trouble avoiding thinking about what was going on.

The phone rang and she picked it up, answering automatically, "Langley Community Center, Charlotte Lincoln speaking, how may I help you?"

"Char, it's me, Ethan," the voice on the other end of the line said.

"Ethan?" Char said in surprise, "Is everything OK?"

Ethan considered what to say, "Char, is BA there?"

"No," Charlotte said, hesitant to say much more than that.

"Can you get a message to him?"

"Ethan, BA is busy right now. Is there something I can help you with?" she sounded snippy even to her own ears.

"Char, please you gotta tell BA," Ethan said urgently, "I - I've got his trackers and he needs to come get them."

Charlotte felt her stomach drop, "Ethan, where are you?"

"Just tell him, he'll know where I am," Ethan said certainly, and hung up the phone.

Lumpy was pacing outside of the cab when Ethan returned drawing curious glances from the passersby, "E, man, where have you been? Harrington called, they know we're stopped. He was pissed dude. We gotta get movin'."

Ethan nodded, "Get in."

BA's cell phone rang, and he picked it up in irritation, "What?"

"BA, Ethan just called," Charlotte said urgently with no preamble, "He said he's got your trackers and you'll know where to find him."

"He's got my trackers?" BA asked uncertainly.

"That's what he said."

"Alright, babe, I gotta go."

BA flipped the phone shut, and picked up speed, "I think we been had, Colonel."

10 minutes later BA pulled even with the cab they'd been tracking. Ethan had the window open, and Hannibal waved to him, "Ethan, pull over."

Ethan shook his head, "I can't, they know when I stop."

Hannibal nodded, "OK, we'll keep up and stop with you at the next light."

In the cab, Lumpy was panicking again, "Man, who are those guys? They friends of Mr. H?"

"No Lumpy, just be quiet," Ethan said sharply, "Mr. H can't know we're even talkin' to these guys. Or he'll kill us."

Lumpy leaned forward, "What the hell are you getting us into, man?"

"This is about what I'm getting us out of."

It took two more lights before they caught a red one. Hannibal leaned out the window, "What the hell is going on, Ethan? Why do you have bugs that we put on Nancy in a hot cab?"

Ethan grimaced, "It's a long story, Hannibal and we don't really have time to go into it right now. Cuttey, some pal of Jimmie Harrington's brought Nancy into the shop about half an hour ago. They took the beacons, stuck me and Lumpy in here and told us to drive. They loaded Nan into an '82 Buick LaSabre."

"Where's the shop, Ethan?" Hannibal asked, grimacing as he saw that the light the other direction was turning yellow.

"That's not important, I think I know where they were probably going," Ethan said, ignoring the light as it turned green, "there's a warehouse, down by the river," he gave Hannibal the address, "I seen Cuttey and Harrington there a few days ago."

Hannibal waved him on and they followed him through a couple more lights before hitting a red again, "Listen kid, is there anything you can tell me about the warehouse?"

Ethan shrugged, "At the back there's a main office, with more offices up a stair just to the left. Under the stair is another door – it leads to some sort of basement area."

"Thanks, kid," Hannibal said gratefully, "Listen, just follow your instructions and keep driving. As long as you have the beacon on we can find you. I'll send someone out to follow you and bring you back."

"Thanks, Hannibal."

Lumpy watched as the van made a U-turn and headed back into town, "Who were those guys?"

Ethan looked at Lumpy in the rearview mirror, "Friends."

Reunion

Nancy's hands were cuffed behind her uncomfortably tight and the hood over her head was beginning to make her feel claustrophobic. Thankfully, that was removed as soon as they were inside the building.

She was taken to the basement, and led down a short hallway to what appeared to be a dungeon of sorts, "You know this place used to be used as holding cells for slaves during the height of the trade," Cuttey said. He unlocked the door at the end of the hallway and Nancy was shoved in behind him.

Nancy felt a cold shiver run down her spine at the scene in front of her. Murdock was dressed in nothing but a pair of shorts and shackled so he was suspended slightly off the floor on the back wall of the room. He was bloodied, burned, and bruised all over. Cuttey was watching her reaction with interest, "Let her loose."

Nancy's hands were uncuffed, and as soon as she was loose, she hurried to Murdock's side. She turned so her back was to Cuttey as she reached up and touched Murdock's face gently, "HM?"

His one eye opened. The other had a cut over it and was badly swollen. He looked at her in confusion for a few seconds, then the eye closed again

"HM?" Nancy asked, her voice strained. She turned and looked at Cuttey helplessly, "What have you done to him?"

Cuttey walked up to her and smiled, running a hand along her jaw, "The more appropriate question might be what haven't I done," he said, holding her chin.

After a few seconds, he turned to Lewis, "Let the Captain down, he's no threat right now."

Nancy caught Murdock as Lewis released his shackles, trying to ease his fall to the floor of the cell as best she could. Lewis walked away callously, as Nancy cradled Murdock's head in her lap.

Nancy looked up at Cuttey desperately, "The least you could do is give us some water."

He smiled, "Think you have time to nurse the hubby back to health," he reached out in the hall and a bucket of water appeared. He dropped it on the floor near her, "Here you go – not that it'll make much difference."

"Enjoy what little time you have left remaining," added as he left the cell.

Hannibal was on a secured line to home base, "We gotta move, Zeb," Hannibal said, providing a succinct summary of what they knew, "I need all available men to meet me at the river front," he provided a location that was about four blocks from their target, "We'll be there in 30 minutes."

The sound of the lock closing seemed to rouse Murdock and he looked up at Nancy, shaking his head in disbelief, "You're real?" his voice was hoarse.

Nancy sighed in relief, at least he wasn't totally out of it, "Yes, I'm real," she said as she ran an exploratory hand down his arms and legs, much as he had done with Juanita.

As she ran her hands along his rib cage, she felt the tell-tale swelling, "How many broken ribs?" she asked.

He shifted uncomfortably on the cold, damp floor, "At least three, maybe four," he supplied, "and I've been having trouble breathing."

"Any other broken bones?"

"Not broken, not that I know of," he said weakly.

Nancy glanced in the bucket, belatedly realizing there was nothing anywhere in the room to use as a cup. She looked down at the voluminous maternity shirt she was wearing, found a weak spot and ripped a generous piece of it off, soaking it in the water.

As she held the dripping rag up to Murdock's lips and squeezed, he drank greedily. She repeated the process several times.

"Can you sit up?"

"You gotta be kidding," he said, but nodded as she helped him into a sitting position.

"Do you know if the kids are here?"

"Pretty sure," he said, "They took me out for a ride after they took me out of the room, but I'm pretty certain we came back to the same place."

Nancy started rubbing his arms and legs, and Murdock groaned when they started tingling and burning as the circulation returned.

It was his turn to ask a question, "You have a tracker? Please tell me you have a tracker and Hannibal and the guys are on their way."

Nancy concentrated on the task at hand, "The operative word there would be 'had', not 'have'," she said ruefully, "All is not lost, though," her thoughts drifted back to the chop shop – she was certain that it was Ethan Johnson that was driving the cab as the decoy. It was a glimmer of hope to hold onto.

Murdock asked another question, "How long have I been gone?"

"About three days," trying desperately to dissociate the wounds from the man as she worked to clean up the worst of them, "When was the last time you saw the kids?"

"They brought me here after just a few hours," he said, looking at her hopelessly, "what was Hannibal thinking sending you in here."

"We were thinking that there weren't a whole lot of options," she said shortly, "Cuttey is kinda holding all the cards – not just you, but the kids."

"He's not going to let either one of us leave here alive," Murdock said, leaning his head back against the wall.

"What happened to the eternal optimist that I married?" Nancy asked, taking another piece of her shirt, wetting it, and wiping his face.

"I wish you weren't here," he said simply, looking up at her seriously.

"Do you really?" she looked at him directly.

He just shook his head, "We've got nothin', Short Cake."

"We have each other," Nancy said, leaning in and giving him a gentle hug, whispering in his ear, "and a gun."

He looked at her in surprise, but it hurt too much to smile.

When Hannibal arrived at the rendezvous, Zeb already had a full scale recon operation underway.

"We're pretty certain that the kids and their mother are being held in one of the upstairs offices. Nancy and Murdock's location isn't known yet."

Hannibal pulled the warehouse plans that Zeb had acquired forward and jabbed a gloved finger at the sub basement, "I'd bet their down there, which is going to make getting them out tricky."

Jeff was fitting each of them with their own headset so they could join the operation.

Zeb put a hand to his ear, "Kennedy's headed this direction, apparently he just can't stay away."

Hannibal nodded, "If possible, we wait until Kennedy's in the snare," he said, "I'd really like to nail that bastard."

Zeb had a hand to his ear again, "Everyone is in position, Colonel," Zeb pulled the area map forward, "Red and Blue teams are here and here, Yellow and Green are here and here," basically the entire warehouse was flanked.

Hannibal slid the bud into place, "Not quite everyone," he turned and looked at Face and BA, "Ready guys?"

They headed down the street to the warehouse, taking up a position just across from the main entrance.

A voice crackled over the com, "They've brought the girl out of the upstairs and are heading down into the basement."

This news came just as Kennedy pulled up outside the warehouse. He was driving an old beater and was dressed in a disguise, but there was no mistaking the swagger.

Hannibal spoke softly into his mic, "We move on my signal, I want Red and Green to take the upstairs, Blue and Yellow take the main floor."

He turned and looked at Zeb, "You, Face and Larry head down to the basement and get Callie, Nancy and Murdock – it's gonna be tight quarters."

Nancy had managed to slip the gun behind Murdock while she was ministering to him. She had then examined the entire inside of the cell, which unfortunately didn't take long, and didn't yield a whole lot of information. Murdock was sitting propped up against the wall, and periodically she would get him a drink of water. When she heard the lock on the door, she was at Murdock's side.

Cuttey walked in followed closely by Harrington, "So, how's the happy couple?"

They heard a scrambling behind them, and Nancy turned to see Callie being dragged into the room bodily, cursing and kicking Lewis, who held her.

Cuttey grabbed her by the hair. He was holding a 6" knife and smiled coyly at Nancy, "See here, we got ourselves a nice little family reunion."

"Gotta hide behind a kid, Cuttey?" Murdock sneared, "That's low even for a low-life like you."

Cuttey's eyes narrowed, "Let's talk about who's in control, here Captain, because last time I looked it was me," he said, "Shall I tell your loving wife what we've been doing to while away the lonely hours down here? Do you think she'll ever look at you the same way again?"

Nancy squeezed Murdock's hand reassuringly before she turned to Cuttey, "What do you want?" she asked, looking at Callie worriedly, "What does Callie have to do with this?"

Cuttey smiled, "You'll find out," he said quietly.

Nancy turned and crouched next Murdock, trying to integrate this new information. She looked down at her husband, and he motioned imperceptibly – he had moved his hand behind his back, where the gun was, but there were three men in the room, and Cuttey had a knife at Callie's throat. Murdock only had a clear shot at two of the three – he needed her to get Callie out of the way.

Just then at the end of the hall, another voice could be heard, "Mr. Cuttey, are you starting without me?" Kennedy came walking in, a smug smile on his face.

Nancy stiffened, and when she looked down at Murdock she could see his jaw tense. His gaze followed Kennedy into the room, where he stopped so he was standing directly behind Nancy.

Kennedy 'tsked' as he looked down at the two of them, "It would appear that I was correct, your husband was in grave danger," he took her arm and pulled her up and swung her around, reaching down and running a hand over her belly, then hooking it behind her waist, pulling her in close, "And so are you my dear."

Murdock shifted, growling, and Kennedy looked down at him, "How sweet, the Captain wants to rescue his loving wife. Unfortunately, I'm afraid he's the one who needs rescued."

Kennedy looked back at Nancy, his breath hot on her face as he continued, "Tell me, Nancy, are you willing to beg for your life? For your husband's?"

Nancy closed her eyes, willing herself to remain calm, "Please, let him go," she whispered.

Kennedy held her tightly around the waist, and ran his other hand down her cheek, sliding it around her neck, and lifting her face, cradling her jaw in his hand "I couldn't hear you . . ."

She opened her eyes and looked up at him, "He has nothing to do with this. Niether does Callie. It's between you and me – please, let them go."

His hand closed on her throat, tightening painfully, "But don't you see, Nancy, they have everything to do with this. I wonder, how far would you go to keep them safe?"

Nancy swallowed painfully. Her entire line of vision was consumed with Kennedy's face, and she looked at him fearfully, "Please," she whispered.

Kennedy smiled slowly, his eyes glittering with malice. His fingers had tightened to the point where she was having trouble breathing.

He leaned in close to her ear, "You forgot the sugar," he said. He released her and turned towards Cuttey. When he turned back, there was a knife in his hand and he held it out to her.

Nancy looked at him uncertainly, and he smiled, "Go on, take it," he encouraged, as she reached out hesitantly, "Try anything, and the girl is dead," he added, as her fingers closed around the hilt of the weapon.

Kennedy stepped back and looked at her standing there with the knife, "Must be frustrating, having me so close, and not being able to use your weapon . . ." he said musingly.

He turned and motioned Cuttey forward, "Remember, if she doesn't slit the Captain's throat by the time you count to three, you slit the girl's."

Cuttey moved forward, dragging Callie with him, and firm hand on her neck, "Do you understand, Mrs. Murdock?"

Nancy licked dry lips, looking at Callie, whose eyes were wide with terror. She looked at Kennedy, who now stood behind Cuttey, smirking, "So, Nancy, tell me, does the girl mean enough to you to kill your husband? Or would you prefer to live with her death?"

"In the end, does it really matter?" Nancy asked quietly.

Kennedy's smile broadened, "Perhaps . . . we'll just have to see how this little play unfolds, won't we. Right now, you have a choice to make – your husband or the girl."

"Nancy," Callie cried desperately.

Murdock looked up at Callie, his look calm, "Hush, Cal, remember what we talked about . . . you have to be strong."

"I'm becoming very impatient, Mrs. Murdock," Cuttey said quietly. He raised his knife and pointed it at her, "There's no escape, – you and you're loving husband have exchanged your last goodbye. Now you have until the count of three . . ."

As Cuttey was talking, Nancy turned and crouched next to her husband, the knife gripped tightly in her hand, "I'm so sorry, HM," she said, lifting the knife,

"It's OK Short Cake," he croaked, "It's the only way."

"NO! NO!" Callie said frantically, as Cuttey started counting, "One . . . two . . ."

"Strawberry, be quiet," Nancy said sternly.

As Cuttey said 'three', Nancy caught him by surprise, and with one hand she grabbed Callie by her shirt, pulling her down to the floor, while bringing her other hand with the knife forward and plunging it up into his chest. He looked at her in surprise, lashing out with his knife and catching her with a solid blow across her shoulder before stumbling and falling forward to the floor, coughing up blood.

Meanwhile, Murdock had pulled the gun out and quickly squeezed off two shots, hitting Lewis and Harrington before they had time to react. Once Cuttey went down, he leveled the gun at Kennedy, with a growl, "Give me a reason, any reason," Kennedy wisely chose to raise his hands in the air.

Overhead, they could hear the sound of running feet. Nancy was trying to stem the flow of blood from her shoulder as she stumbled to her feet, "Shit – we're gonna have company!"

"Strawberry, close the door," Murdock ordered. Callie had been lying on the floor where Nancy had shoved her, looking in shock at the carnage around her. She pulled her feet out from under Cuttey, grimacing at the blood on her pants. However, she reacted quickly to the direct order, hurrying over to the cell door and closing it.

"But HM, the lock's on the outside . . ." she said tightly.

Nancy was struggling with Harrington's body, being the closest to the door, "Cal, help me move him in front of the door."

Callie moved to Nancy's side, and together they dragged Harrington's dead body in front of the door. Overhead, they heard automatic gunfire, and a welcome sound - Hannibal's voice, "Alright, all scumballs, hands where I can see them. The next one that moves get's his head blown off."

Nancy stopped and grasped Callie's hand, "They made it . . ."

"They always do," Murdock said quietly.

Nancy turned and looked at Murdock, noticing that he was starting to look very gray. Glancing down, she pulled a set of handcuffs from Harrington's belt, and walked over to Kennedy, "Hands behind your back," she said.

Kennedy looked at her defiantly, until Murdock growled, "Listen asshole, I've about had it – it'd be easier to just shoot you. Now get your fuckin' hands behind your back." Kennedy complied, and Nancy cuffed his hands, looking at her husband worriedly.

As soon as Kennedy was cuffed, Murdock slumped to one side. The last few minutes had taken every last ounce of his energy.

Nancy hurried to his side, "HM?"

"I'm gonna be OK, Short Cake," he whispered, just before he passed out.

Overhead, Hannibal was barking out orders as the bad guys were quickly subdued and rounded up. Footsteps pounded down the stairs, and Nancy called out, "We're at the end of the hall."

Murdock roused slightly, as the door was opened and caught on Harrington's body. Outside they could hear Face's voice, "Damn it, I can't get the door open – give me a hand, Zeb."

Together, Face and Zeb got the door pushed open enough to get through, taking in the scene quickly, Zeb spoke into his mic, "We need a medic team in the basement, stat."

Face looked at Callie, putting a hand on her shoulder and scanning her to ensure that none of the blood on her clothing was hers, "You OK, Cal?" she nodded mutely. Next he turned to Nancy, who had blood dripping down her arm, "How about you?" he asked, looking at her shoulder.

Nancy held a hand over the cut on her shoulder, and indicated Murdock, "HM needs the attention, I'm OK."

Face nodded, and knelt next to Murdock, immediately beginning to inventory the damage.

"Aren't ya gonna ask me how I am, Facey?" Murdock asked weakly, wincing as Face's exploring fingers found the cracked ribs.

"Don't need to, you look like shit," Face said caustically, "Now be quiet and sit still, while I make sure it's safe to move you."

Zeb looked at Nancy's shoulder, "Nan, take Callie upstairs and see one of the paramedics up there – we'll have HM out in a few minutes. Right now we need the room to get the gurney in here with the medics."

Nancy nodded and led Callie out into the hall, past the medics and upstairs.

Zeb watch her leave, then turned to Larry, "Check Lukjan, Harrington, and Lewis – make sure they're dead," then he indicated Kennedy with a jerk of the head, "Then take this dickhead upstairs and let the cops deal with him."

Nancy and Callie reached the first floor just as Juanita was being brought down from the upstairs. Callie was gripping Nancy's hand, and started towards the gurney, but Nancy found that her legs were no longer functional, and dropped right where she stood. Callie stopped and looked at her in concern, "Nan?"

Hannibal turned when he heard Callie, and was at Nancy's side in a flash, "Nancy, are you alright?"

Nancy looked at him blankly, finding it difficult to understand what he was saying because of the blood roaring through her ears. She shook her head, hoping to clear some of the cobwebs.

Hannibal crouched next to her, "Nancy, are you alright?"

Comprehension dawned and Nancy nodded, "Yea, Hannibal, I'm just wonderful," she said as Hannibal unwrapped her arm.

Hannibal motioned to another medic crew, "C'mon, let's get that arm taken care of."

"Nancy?" Callie was looking at her, and watching as her mother was carried out of the warehouse.

Nancy looked up at Callie and smiled wanly, "Go on, Cal, I'll be OK. Just need to sit for a minute," she said, as a medic showed up at her side.

Callie looked her uncertainly, but Nancy waved her on, "Go on, Callie, go see your Mom," and Callie finally did move over to her mother.

Juanita's eyes fluttered open as Callie approached, and she smiled wanly, "Is that my Cal-girl?" she asked weakly.

Jack, who was being led down the stairs by BA, broke from his side, and ran to Callie, flinging his arms around her and clinging to her, "I thought you was dead," he sobbed brokenly.

Callie patted his back, "We're gonna be OK, Jackie. Cuttey can't hurt us anymore."

She looked at her Mother, "Mom, are you OK?"

Juanita reached up and touched Callie's cheek, but her look was pained, "I feel better just knowin' you kids are gonna be alright."

Callie took her hand, "They'll take good care of you Mom. You'll be better in no time."

Juanita smiled, as one of the paramedics stepped up, "We've gotta get moving, kiddo, you can meet us at the hospital. You'll see your Mom there."

As Juanita was taken out to a waiting ambulance, Nancy came over, with a medic following her, "You'll need to go to the hospital to get stitches, Ms. Murdock," he said.

Nancy nodded, catching sight of Maggie coming through the door. She and Maggie reached the children at about the same time.

Maggie looked at her bandaged shoulder and put a hand under her chin, taking in the darkening bruises on her throat, "He said you need stitches," she said matter-of-factly.

"The kids need to go to the hospital," Nancy said, "Juanita's in that ambulance."

Maggie nodded, "I'll take them . . ." she stopped as Kennedy appeared at the top of the stairs, with Larry following closely behind, "So, that bastard's still alive."

Nancy turned, and watched as Kennedy moved across the warehouse floor. He stopped when he was near her, looking at her evenly, he smiled, "It's been a pleasure, as always, Nancy. Maybe next time, I'll get to finish this."

Joe had appeared, and took Kennedy's arm, "Let's go, Kennedy," he said severely, "It's gonna be awhile before you're finishing anything."

Nancy's jaw had clenched, but she was distracted from Kennedy as the gurney carrying Murdock appeared at the head of the stairs. She glanced at Kennedy one last time as Joe herded him out to a waiting police cruiser, then hurried over to her husband.

Maggie turned to the kids, "Come on, I'll get you to the hospital."

Nancy stopped by Murdock and took his hand, but his eyes didn't open, and she looked up at the paramedic, seeking assurance that he was going to be alright.

The paramedic that had been following Nancy around, looked at the medic with Murdock, "She needs stitches," he said, indicating her shoulder, "it's a pretty bad cut."

He nodded, and looked at Nancy sympathetically, "He's OK, we just gave him a sedative. I'm Dan – why don't you ride in the ambulance to the hospital with us and we'll get that arm looked at."

Not Good News

Dr. Lyons walked into the waiting room, taking in the rag tag crew that was sitting there. Callie and Jack were sitting between Nancy, whose shoulder was bandaged, and Maggie. The police had left barely half an hour earlier, after taking statements from Nancy and the kids. They were all bone weary and worried.

Dr. Lyons walked over, "Mrs. Murdock, it's good to see you again."

Nancy stood, "How are HM and Juanita?" she asked anxiously.

"Your husband is stable. He has extensive internal bruising, though it doesn't appear to be outright bleeding. He has four broken and two cracked ribs. Two of the ribs had punctured the left lung. In addition, he was dehydrated. We've done all we can right now, it's just a matter of waiting and watching, but I think his chances are very good."

He looked at the children sympathetically, "Ms. Temple, unfortunately, has been in need of medical attention for several days. She's in surgery now, and it'll be awhile before we know any more. But for right now, I can take you in to see your husband."

Callie grabbed Nancy's hand desperately, "Can we come, too, Nan?"

Nancy looked at Dr. Lyons questioningly, and he smiled, "Certainly."

In HM's room, the sound of the vacuum pump hooked to Murdock's chest cavity masked the sound of their entry. Murdock lay in the bed, his eyes closed, but as they walked up to the bed, he opened them, though one was barely a slit, "Hey," he said, as Nancy leaned down and kissed his cheek, he smiled, "How are ya, Short Cake?"

Nancy smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, "Better than you."

"How 'bout you two?"

"OK," Jack said quietly, "HM, you sure you're alright? You don't look so good."

"Looks worse than it is, buddy," Murdock said reassuringly, then looked at Callie askently, "Strawberry?"

Callie stepped to his bed side, tears glistening in her eyes, "I'm so sorry, HM."

He reached up and patted her cheek, "You got nothin' to be sorry about, Strawberry. This wasn't your fault."

The Vigil

Nancy woke and slid out from under a sleeping Jack, curling him carefully next to his sister in the hospital bench seat that they had slid in from the hall way. She walked out into the hall, where her father was waiting with Maggie, and Sherry Evanston, all of whom had shown up soon after they'd arrived at the hospital.

"Cup of coffee?" Maggie offered.

Nancy shook her head, "No thanks, Mags."

Her father looked at her in concern, "Sweetheart, you should go home and get some rest."

Nancy glanced back towards the room, "The kids are asleep, at least for now. I can't ask them to leave while their Mom is in surgery."

"At least they ate," Maggie said, "And you should too."

"Cafeteria is long closed by now," Nancy said dismissively.

"I'll go get you a sandwich or something at the all night grocery deli," Carl offered.

"Thanks."

Nancy had eaten half of the sandwich her father brought her when a doctor in scrubs approached, "Juanita Temple family?"

Sherry stepped forward, "Hi, I'm Sherry Evanston, I guess I'm the closest thing Nee has to family besides the kids. And this is the children's foster mother, Nancy Murdock."

He held out a hand, "I'm Dr. Rosewood," he said, shaking her hand, "I'm sorry to say that the news regarding Ms. Temple is not good. We spent quite a bit of time trying to clean out numerous internal infections, including a particularly bad intrauterine infection that had move into her ovaries and other adjacent systems. I'm afraid we've done all we can. She's on antibiotics, and we've got her in intensive care. We'll be watching her closely. Hopefully she can pull through."

"Thank you, Doctor," Sherry said. She shook her head and turned to Nancy, "We should really get the kids home, we'll come back tomorrow. Hopefully the news is better then."

Nancy walked into Murdock's room, and found Murdock awake. She walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, "Hey, are you OK?" she asked, keeping her voice low to avoid waking Jack and Callie.

He took her hand, "I'll be fine, Short Cake," Murdock said, "You should take the kids home."

"I was just getting them headed there," she agreed, "Their Mom is out of surgery, but they've got her in intensive care," she shook her head, "It doesn't sound too good."

"How are you?" Murdock asked.

"I'd be better if you were out of the hospital and back to chasing me around the house," Nancy said with a little smile.

He grinned at her, "Before you know it, Short Cake, before you know it."

Single-Seater

The next day, Nancy got Jack and Callie up and moving fairly early, even though they had come home late. They made it into the hospital by 8am, and tried to go up to see Juanita but were told that there was already a visitor and they would have to wait. Nancy told the ICU nurse where they would be and requested a call when they could come see Juanita. They were in visiting with Murdock when Dr. Rosewood stopped by, "I was wondering if I could have a word, Ms. Murdock."

Nancy nodded, and followed the doctor into the hall, "What is it Doctor?"

His look was not encouraging, "I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news, but apparently we didn't get all of the infection. She's spiked a fever overnight. In addition, early this morning, she started showing signs of jaundice, so we ran some blood tests. Her internal systems seem to be shutting down. She's really too weak to do any further surgery, but I'm afraid that if we don't get the infection under control, we're going to lose her. We'll be prepping her for surgery within half an hour.

He looked at the floor, then up at Nancy, and she could tell this was weighing heavily on him, "I really think the children should go see her before she goes into surgery again . . . just in case."

Nancy had her arms crossed, "You don't think she'll survive?"

He sighed, "Her chances don't look very good – but surgery is the best option."

Nancy nodded, "I, um, I'll get the kids . . ." she said, turning into Murdock's room.

Nancy walked over to Murdock and put her hand over his, "We have to go up and see Juanita, now," she said quietly, glancing back as Callie and Jack walked forward. Murdock looked up at her questioningly and she shook her head slightly, afraid to trust herself to speak, she turned and took Callie and Jack by the hand and led them upstairs.

Juanita was lying on her bed with instruments beeping all around her. Sherry turned as they came in, her face looked strained, "Hi," she stepped back and motioned them forward, "Your Mom wants to see you."

As Callie and Jack stepped forward, Juanita opened her eyes, "Hey Cal-girl . . . and is that my little Jackie?" she reached out.

"Mom," Callie said tentatively, "Mom, when can we go home?"

"Me, too, Mommy," Jack said, "I want to go home."

Tears slipped down Juanita's cheeks, "Not yet, sweetheart, not yet," she smiled, "You remember our song, Jackie . . ."

My desire is a rosebud
In the magic design.
I can't wait to feel it bloom
They'll be landin' anytime.
Then when the skeptics are wonderin'
Where all the faithful have flown,
We'll be on enchanted sky machines
The gentle are goin' home.

Juanita reached up and touched each of her children's faces, "I'm afraid that this is a single seater, bambinos," she whispered, as she struggled for control.

Nancy stepped forward, putting her arms around the kids, "C'mon, guys, she's just going into surgery." she took a deep breath, "Now, give your Mom a kiss and tell her you'll see her soon."

Juanita looked at Nancy gratefully, as she hugged and kissed each of the children.

As Nancy led them out of the room Sherry moved forward, and looked at Juanita, tears in her eyes, "Nee, everything's going to be OK."

Juanita sighed, "But just in case, Sher," she said, "If anything . . . happens to me, please, tell them that their Mama loves them . . . and I'll always be watching over them."

Hannibal and Maggie walked into Murdock's room. Maggie walked straight up to his bed side, leaning down to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek, "How are you feeling, HM?"

He smiled at her, "I think I'm gonna live, Mags."

"I'm glad to hear it," she said, "it's good to see you awake and alert. Are Nancy and kids getting lunch?"

Murdock shook his head, "Dr. Rosewood stopped by and afterwards, Nancy took Callie and Jack up to see their mother," he sighed heavily, "She didn't say anything, but she looked pretty upset . . . I have a feeling it wasn't good news.

Maggie nodded, she had spoken with Rosewood earlier – things didn't look good for Juanita Temple.

Hannibal still hung back at the door, his arms crossed as he watched his wife talking to his pilot . . . his pilot, Murdock was more than a pilot to him. The relief he felt knowing that Murdock was going to be OK, was countered by the knowledge that he was presently furious with him.

Hannibal finally walked forward, as Maggie stood up. She looked first at Hannibal, then back at Murdock, whose expression had blackened as he regarded his commanding officer, "Well, I know you two have a lot to talk about," she said, squeezing Murdock's hand, she looked at him intently, "Just remember, we've all done the best we can under the circumstances."

She patted Hannibal's arm as she walked out of the room, flashing him a supportive smile. She closed the door quietly behind her.

Hannibal moved to the side of the bed, "Maggie's right, it's good to see you awake and alert."

Murdock looked up at him, "Colonel, I . . .," he stopped, trying to keep his voice level, "I cannot believe you would send a pregnant woman into that situation . . ."

Hannibal nodded, "No, I don't suppose you can," he agreed, to Murdock's surprise, "But at the time there weren't a lot of options."

"There are always options, Hannibal," Murdock said harshly.

"There were no other good options, Murdock."

"She . . . they . . . could have been killed," he said tightly, feeling a surge of the panic he had felt when he'd seen Nancy walk into that cell.

Hannibal considered Murdock seriously. Normally, he would tell him that he didn't have to explain his actions to a subordinate. But their positions had changed subtly and inexorably over the last few years, and he felt like he owed him an explanation.

"Listen, Murdock, Nancy knew what she was walking into. We reviewed scenario upon scenario, looking for any other way out. The best option was to send her in while we knew there was a good chance you were still alive. Otherwise, Cuttey would have killed you and we still would have had to deal with how to get the kids out. In the end, he was holding all the cards. We had to go with our strongest position, and that was with all of you alive, with the hope that you could help."

Murdock considered that for several minutes, and finally said, "If I knew this was the end, that this was the last time this would happen . . ." Murdock looked at Hannibal hollowly, "Kennedy's still alive. And so far, we've only had to deal with one guy that has it in for Nan . . . and we knew he was coming. What about all the people we've put away, Hannibal? What happens the next time, when one of them decides to get even?"

Murdock had put into words exactly what every one of them had at the back of their minds. But then, that had always been Murdock's talent, putting into words what they were all feeling. Hannibal's biggest problem was that he didn't have an answer.

Carl Clay was standing out in the hall when Maggie came out of Murdock's room, "How is HM doing?"

Maggie shrugged, "I think it's going to be awhile before he's running the 100-yard dash, but everything considered, he's doing pretty good," she said.

"Is Nancy in there?" Carl's concern was reflected plainly in his face.

"No, she went upstairs with the kids to see Juanita," Maggie sighed, "I'm afraid it doesn't look good for her – they've scheduled her for another surgery. I spoke with Dr. Rosewood, he gives her about a 30 chance in her weakened condition."

Carl ran a hand back through his hair, "I just came from the courthouse. Kennedy has insisted that he be given a timely bail hearing, claiming that he was forced to witness what had happened by Mr. Lukjan, and had nothing to do with the whole thing."

"Surely the judge isn't going to buy that . . .," Maggie said in disbelief.

"Not if I can help it," Carl said stridently, "But Kennedy has some powerful people in his back pocket."

"I just can't believe this," Maggie said, "It's like the guy has nine lives."

"Listen, Maggie, I've gotta get to the police station," he said, "I've got a meeting with Joe to find out what they've been able to gather since yesterday. Nancy and HM don't need any added stress right now – tell Nan I stopped by and I'll be back to see her later."

Maggie was standing in the hall when Dr. Phillips walked up behind her, "Dr. Sullivan, you had called?"

Maggie smiled, "Dr. Phillips, I'm so glad you could come . . ."

When Nancy and the kids came back down from ICU, Maggie and Dr. Phillips were waiting for them in the hall outside Murdock's room.

Maggie could see the strain on Nancy's face and she held out a hand to Callie and Jack "C'mon you two, let's go get some lunch. Dr. Phillips wants to see Nancy right now."

Nancy waved the kids on, "Go on, guys, I'll catch up with you."

Dr. Phillips took Nancy's arm and led her to an empty hospital room, closing the door. She turned and looked at Nancy critically, "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by a Mack truck," Nancy said honestly.

Dr. Phillips suppressed a smile, and had her sit down on the bed, while she took her blood pressure.

Dr. Phillips rolled the blood pressure cuff and stuck it in her pocket, without comment, "Let's get you laid down," she said, helping Nancy lie back on the bed.

She pulled a Doppler out of her other pocket, lifted Nancy's shirt and located the twins heartbeats.

As she worked, she talked to Nancy, "How's HM doing?"

"He has broken and cracked ribs, a punctured lung, extensive internal bruising, . . ." Nancy sighed, "I guess, everything considered, he's doing pretty well," she smiled as she heard the heartbeat of one of the twins.

Dr. Phillips nodded, "I spoke with Dr. Lyons, he said HM was going to be just fine, but uncomfortable for awhile," she wiped Nancy's belly off and pulled out the tape measure, "Sounds like you had quite a bit of excitement – so much for taking easy," she said as she measure Nancy's belly.

She put the tape measure back in her pocket and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Nancy, "The twins seem to be doing OK, despite recent . . . events," she said carefully, "And your blood pressure is actually pretty good."

She lifted Nancy's arm, "What happened here?"

"I . . . cut it," Nancy said uncertainly, "It wasn't too bad."

"How much blood did you lose?"

Nancy shrugged, and Dr. Phillips sighed, "Alright, well, I'd really like you to try and rest, but I understand that that will likely be a challenge for awhile," she put a hand on Nancy's arm, "Please try though. You need to take care of yourself."

Dr. Phillips patted Nancy's arm and stood up, "I'll let you get some lunch," she smiled, "Make an appointment for sometime next week."

Carl and Joe stood in the evidence room, poring through the evidence that had been gathered. Carl picked up a picture of Nancy's neck, his jaw clenching as he considered the dark bruising, "Who did this?"

Joe glanced over, "Kennedy."

Carl set the picture aside, and turned to Joe, "Did you get any physical evidence off her."

Joe nodded, "Yes, but it's still in DNA, I doubt that we'll have results by the hearing."

Carl picked the photo up again, then looked closer, grabbing a magnifying glass, he smiled, "Maybe we don't need the DNA."

"What have you got?" Joe asked curiously.

Carl handed the photo to Joe and indicated a curiously shaped bruise on one side of Nancy's neck, "We need to take a look at Kennedy's personal effects, but I'm betting that his signet ring is going to be an exact match for that bruise. Should be enough to deny bail."

Hannibal stood at the window, looking out reflectively. He and Murdock had talked for a long time about the problems that their previous lives could present to their families. Murdock had drifted off to sleep, and Hannibal was left to mull over what they had discussed. They had spent so many years on the run, he was unwilling to push them into that cycle again. He needed to talk to Stockwell, but he felt certain that he would agree. There were options for keeping them safe without upending their lives.

The door opened and Face poked his head in, "Hey Hannibal, Murdock's asleep, huh?"

As Hannibal turned from the window, Murdock waved a groggy hand, "C'mon in, Face, I'm awake."

Face opened the door, and BA was standing there as well. They both moved into the room.

BA stood stiffly at the end of the bed, looking at Murdock worriedly, "We won' stay long – just wanted to know how the crazy man doin' . . ."

Murdock grinned at him, "Ahh, isn't that sweet? BA's worried 'bout little ol' me."

Face pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and sat down, glancing at BA to see if he was going to rise to Murdock's barb or not. The big man just stood there and glared, so Face turned back to Murdock, "Keep that up and you're gonna have a couple black eyes added to the list of injuries," he said with a slight grin, "How're you feeling, Murdock?"

He shrugged, "Been better," he said, adding ruefully, "Been worse."

The door opened, and Nancy came in, looking at the four men with a shake of her head. She stopped at the end of the bed next to BA, looking at her husband knowingly, "Think he's gonna live, BA?"

BA looked at her, his eyes twinkling, "'Fraid so."

Murdock smiled, "I'll be around to give you grief for a long time, BA!"

"Good," BA said simply.

They stayed for a few more minutes, bantering back and forth. Hannibal noticed Murdock's eyes drooping, and called for an exit, "Alright, you two, we should get out of here and let Murdock get some rest."

As they left, Hannibal put a hand on Nancy's shoulder, "I'm gonna go find Maggie . . ."

"She took the kids to lunch, Hannibal," Nancy supplied.

"Have you eaten anything?"

Nancy smiled, "They'll be bringing up HM's lunch in a little bit, and the nurse said they'd bring me something, too."

Face stopped at the door, "Listen, Nan, if you need anything, just let us know," he said solicitously, "Amy said she'd wait a few days to come, but I . . ." he stopped, glancing back at Murdock, who's eyes were already closed, "I had to see him," he finished quietly.

"Thanks, Face," she said, "It means a lot to HM, that you worry so much," she looked up at BA with a slight smile, "You, too, BA."

"Take care, little mama," BA said, "Like Face say, if you need anything, jus' call. Me and Char'll do what we can."

Hannibal stopped at the door, "Maggie and I will keep the kids occupied for a little while, so you can get some rest," he said, "Besides, it'll keep their minds off their Mom."

"Thanks a million, Hannibal."

As the door closed behind them, Nancy turned back into the room, and took a seat in the chair Face had just vacated. Murdock's eyes were open, and he was looking at her searchingly, "What did Dr. Phillips say?"

"She said everything was fine," Nancy said, closing a hand over his, "Now try to get some rest."

He turned his hand over, closing his fingers around hers, "This is the first time we've been alone since . . ." he stopped, "I just wondered, you know, how you really are."

Nancy laid her head down on his shoulder, "I'm going to be fine as soon as you're . . . home," she choked as she realized how close he had come to not coming home. She could feel her composure slipping as the stress and tension of the last few days caught up with her all at once.

Murdock smoothed her hair, "Shh, everything is going to be OK," he whispered, "We're both gonna be OK."

She laid there crying for several minutes, unable to stem the tears, or talk. Finally, she sat up and reached over, taking a Kleenex, wiping her face, and blowing her nose.

She looked at him ruefully, "Sorry . . ."

"I woulda worried about you if you hadn't let loose," Murdock said, wiping a stray tear with his thumb, "you don't have anything to be sorry about."

"If we had just stayed in Houston, like you wanted . . ." Nancy said miserably.

"It would have happened a few days later, but it still would have happened," Murdock said matter-of-factly.

Nancy shook her head, "We would have been better prepared . . ."

". . . for someone to nab you," he said.

"HM, you and I both know that if I hadn't been so damn stubborn . . ."

". . . I'd be dead," Murdock said, looking at her directly, "just stop it, Nan. What happened, happened. All the second-guessing isn't going to change it."

They sat quietly for a few minutes, before Murdock continued, "Hannibal and I talked," he said quietly, "I don't want to go through this again," possibly with the rolls reversed, he thought, but didn't say aloud, "we talked about a couple different options . . . including an identity change."

"You can't be serious, HM," Nancy said incredulously, "Our life is here, in Langley. You can't seriously be contemplating leaving this all behind."

"If it's the only way to keep you safe . . . to keep all of you safe . . ." he said earnestly, "then yes, I would consider it."

Nancy shook her head, "I can't," she said quietly, adding more forcefully, "I won't. I won't have some low life force me to give up my life. There has to be another way."

Murdock had known she'd feel that way and in all honesty, he did too. He just had to trust that Hannibal could come up with another option.

Maggie and Jack were sitting in the waiting room, playing a game of go fish. Callie sat off to one side, watching, but not really paying attention.

Hannibal walked over and sat down next to her, "How you holdin' up, kiddo?"

Callie's arms were crossed, "I'm fine," she said shortly.

Hannibal nodded, "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

"What happened?" she asked blankly.

"Callie, you watched as three men were killed, that is bound to have an affect on you . . ."

Callie gritted her teeth, "I'm not sorry they're dead, if that's what you mean," she said coldly.

"I wouldn't expect you to be sorry," Hannibal said, "But still, that's a hard thing for you to see."

Callie looked up at him, "Not as hard as seein' Mom . . . or HM . . .," she said tightly.

Hannibal nodded in agreement.

A couple hours later, Nancy and Murdock had both drifted off to sleep, Nancy with her head lying on Murdock's arm. Dr. Rosewood walked up to Nancy, touching her lightly on the arm to wake her.

Nancy sat up groggily, slowly remembering where she was, "Dr. Rosewood? How's Juanita?"

As she asked the question, she saw Sherry Evanston standing by the door crying silently and she knew the answer before Dr. Rosewood said "I'm afraid the strain was too much for her. She passed away just a little bit ago. I'm very sorry."

Nancy sat back and closed her eyes, "Have you told Callie and Jack?"

Dr. Rosewood shook his head, "No, this was the first place I came."

"They're probably still down at the waiting room."

In the waiting room, Callie was the first to see Nancy, Sherry, and Dr. Rosewood walk in, and stood, "How's Mom doin'?"

"Strawberry, . . ." Nancy started.

Dr. Rosewood looked at Callie sympathetically, "I'm afraid your Mother passed away."

Jack stood from the table, walking forward, "Passed away?" he asked curiously.

Callie was breathing heavily, "Died, Jack, it means she died."

"Mommy's . . . dead?" Jack's face crumpled.

Nancy leaned down and put her arms around him, "I'm so sorry, Jack . . ."

She glanced over at Callie, who watched her brother for a moment, then turned and walked out without a word.

Nancy glanced up at Hannibal, who put a hand on her shoulder, "I'll go talk to her."

Hannibal caught up with Callie in the hallway and grabbed her arm, "Whoa, where are you going?"

Tears were streaming down her face, "What does it matter?"

Hannibal shrugged, "It matters to me."

Callie looked at him disbelievingly, "Why?"

He leaned down and looked directly in her face, "Because, you just found out your Mom is dead – and that really sucks, kid."

She took a deep shuddering breath, "I didn't want her to die . . . not really."

"Of course you didn't."

"But I said . . . I said I wished she were dead," she breathed

"So?" Hannibal said, "Every kid wishes their parents were dead at one time or another. That's not why your Mom died, Cal. It's got nothin' to do with it."

Callie's gaze dropped to the floor, then she looked back up, "What about HM?"

Hannibal stood and looked at her curiously, "What about HM?"

"I'm the one who called Cuttey," Callie said, almost defiantly, though her face betrayed her fear of the reaction.

"Oh, that," Hannibal said, nodding, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's my fault," Callie said, her face crumpling, "It's all my fault. My Mom is dead and HM's in the hospital and it's all my fault."

"That's an awful lot of guilt for one little girl to be carrying around," he said quietly, "Misplaced guilt at that. What happened to your Mom . . . what happened to HM . . . none of it was your fault, Callie."

She looked at Hannibal disbelievingly, "When Nan finds out . . . she's gonna hate me!"

Hannibal grabbed her arms and looked at her severely, "Nancy already knows," he said, allowing that knowledge to sink in before continuing, "She doesn't blame you, and you shouldn't blame yourself."

"She knows?"

"Yes, she knows," he said certainly, "Callie, there are things we have control over in our lives, and things that we don't – you need to know the difference. Besides, there's no point in beating yourself up over what's past."

Hannibal stood up, "Maybe it would be best if you talked to Nancy about this," he suggested.

Callie looked at him uncertainly, but she followed as he walked back towards the waiting room.

Nancy was sitting in a chair with Jack on her lap. She looked up at Callie as she walked into the room, "Are you OK, Strawberry?"

Callie looked at Nancy uncertainly, "Nan, you know . . ." she hesitated, "I called Cuttey that day."

Jack slipped off Nancy's lap, as she looked up at Callie and nodded, "Yes, I know, Cal," she said quietly, "The phone records from the house clued us into that pretty early on."

Callie looked at the floor, then back up at Nancy, "He told me if I didn't that he'd hurt us . . . me and Jack . . . and Mom."

Nancy nodded in understanding, "That's what you talked about when you saw him at the museum, isn't it?"

Callie nodded mutely.

Nancy looked at her hands weighing what to say. She finally reached out and took Callie's hands, looking at her earnestly, "Cal, there's a lot of things that I think you and I both wish would have happened differently, over the past week or so," she said, "I wish you would have trusted me enough to tell me the truth about Cuttey . . . but I understand why you didn't. I wish we would have stayed in Houston . . . but at the time, I really wanted to be home. I wish . . . I wish it was possible to live life without regrets, but it just isn't.

Nancy reached up and brushed Callie's hair out of her face, "Most of all, I wish you and Jack hadn't lost your Mom . . . but you did and, Cal, you gotta know that there was nothing you could do."

Callie shook her head, "But HM . . ."

Nancy put her hands on Callie's shoulders, "HM is gonna be alright."

Callie looked at her piercingly, "No thanks to me."

"Just stop it, Callie," Nancy said sternly, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and stop feeling sorry for things you had no control over."

Jack tugged on Callie's arm, "Cal, what are we gonna do now?" his face was tear streaked, and he looked frightened.

Nancy put a hand on Jack's head, "Honey, don't worry about that right now."

Callie looked at Nancy, "I want to see her," she said flatly.

Nancy glanced at Sherry uncertainly before responding, "Cal, I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

Callie crossed her arms stubbornly, "I want to see her, now."

Nancy stood up and looked at Dr. Rosewood questioningly, "If it's what you want . . ." he said quietly.

Nancy put a hand on Jack's shoulder, "Jack, why don't you stay here with Maggie . . ."

"I wanna go with Cal," Jack said.

"No," Callie said severely, "You wait here with Maggie – I won't be gone long."

Jack looked up at his sister, "OK, but you'll come right back?"

Callie seemed to realize that Jack was scared, and smiled at him gently, "It's OK, Jackie, I'll be right back. Promise."

Dr. Rosewood led them down the hall and into a viewing room, "I'll be right back if you'll just wait here."

He disappeared for a few minutes, returning with an orderly who was wheeling a gurney. The gurney was stopped in the room, and Dr. Rosewood stepped forward, "Are you ready?" he looked at Callie questioningly.

Callie nodded, and Dr. Rosewood lifted the sheet, exposing Juanita's body. Callie reached out and touched her Mother's hand, and grimaced, "She's so cold."

She walked up and touched her face, which was also cold. She stood there uncertainly, not sure what she was really looking for.

Nancy looked at her, "You know, Cal, your Mom . . . your Mom's not here."

"She's right here," Callie said, looking at Nancy in confusion.

Nancy looked down at Juanita Temple's dead body, and sighed, "No, that's not your mother," she said certainly. She took Callie's hand, and forced her to turn and look at her, "You mother has gone to a better place, Cal. A place where people like Cuttey can't hurt her anymore."

Callie looked up at Nancy in understanding, "We'll be on enchanted sky machines . . .," she half sang, half spoke.

Nancy nodded and put an arm around her, "The gentle are going home."

Healing

After saying goodbye to Murdock for the afternoon, they headed home. Hannibal and Maggie had stayed and helped Nancy with Callie and Jack, who were each dealing with their grief over the loss of their Mother in different ways. That evening, they stayed with the kids while Nancy went in to see Murdock.

When she walked into his room, he was sleeping, the only sound the vacuum pump. She walked silently up to his bed, touching his hand lightly, and sending up a silent thanks that it was warm to the touch. Seeing Juanita that afternoon had affected her badly.

When she looked up at his face, his eyes were open and he was regarding her quietly. She smiled at him, "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Well, I certainly hope you didn't plan to let me sleep through your visit," he said quietly, "Where are the kids?" he asked curiously, noticing that Nancy was alone.

"Hannibal and Maggie have them at home," she said, "They aren't dealing too well with their Mom's death, and I thought it might be easier for them to skip the hospital this evening."

Murdock nodded in understanding, "How are you doing?"

"I'm fi . . .," she stopped, "Oh, hell, I feel like shit," she finally said, honestly.

"You look mighty fine, though," Murdock said with a grin.

Nancy smiled at him, reaching a hand up and touching his cheek. His eye looked much better today. The swelling had gone down, and though it was still a nasty shade of purple, at least both eyes opened wide, now.

He was regarding her through those big brown eyes, now, "The kids will be fine, Nan," he said soothingly, "They just need a little time to come to grips with it."

"HM, do you think . . .," she stopped, "I mean, do you want to . . . offer the kids a permanent home?"

Murdock took a deep breath, "If we decide to do this, it means staying right where we are."

"I know you're worried about what might happen, but . . .," Nancy hesitated, having trouble putting into words what she felt.

Murdock covered her hand with his, "But, Callie and Jack are here and now, and they need us," he said, "and, we can't let fear of what might happen, sometime in the future, dictate how we live our lives now. Nan, I'm sorry I even suggested that we should."

"You were just planning for our future," Nancy said, "But I think Callie and Jack need to be a part of that future – a part of our family."

Murdock chuckled, "And you were the one who was afraid of having two kids!"

Post Script – Callie's Song

"We hope you've all enjoyed the show tonight," Nancy said, "The kids worked really hard and I think they've done a great job – how about a hand for them," she clapped along with the audience.

"We've got one more song for you," she added, as the applause died down, "But before we begin, I'd just like to give you a little background on it. It's by Bruce Hornsby and I understand he wrote it for his children, so I thought it was an appropriate song to end the evening with. Some of you may know, my husband and I recently added to our family in a big way," there was a smattering of applause, "In addition to our twins, Andrea and Bethany, who were born three months ago, we adopted two terrific kids, Callie and Jack."

Nancy caught Callie's eye, back where she sat holding Andy, with Jack on one side and Murdock, holding Beth, on the other. She smiled at Callie warmly, "Callie asked me once what her song was, and . . . well, Cal, I think I finally found it."

When the night lies so still
Before I go to sleep
I come by, I come by
Oh, just to look at you
In the dim light I say
That in my own small way
I will try, I will try
To help you through

There'll be blue skies falling
There'll be sad scenes and bad dreams
In a world so uncertain
Through the clouds it's hard to see
I will grab you and lift you
As you hold on tight and sway
We'll go walking
Across the fields of gray

There's a place I can go
When the world gets me down
When nothing, oh nothing
Goes quite right it seems
As I look there I know
Fortune smiles on me so
But who knows, no one knows
About tomorrow

There'll be blue skies falling
There'll be sad scenes and bad dreams
In a world so uncertain
Through the clouds it's hard to see
I will grab you and lift you
As you hold on tight and sway
We'll go walking
Across the fields of gray

When I was younger I saw things in black and white
Now all I see is a sad, hazy gray
Sometimes I see a narrow flash of light
Sometimes I look and you show me the way

No matter what else happens
Or what the future will be
In a world so uncertain
Through the clouds

it's hard to see
I will grab you and carry you
Calm your fears if you're afraid
We'll go walking
Across the fields of gray