DISCLAIMER: I don't own any parties, characters or so forth associated in any way with Third Watch, it's network, or anything else affiliated with it. I don't own much of anything besides the clothes on my back! Just a bit of fiction by a fan for the fans. No harm intended, no profit reaped, but enjoyment is hoped for.

A/N: If you're reading, great. Please take the time to review and let me know what you think. If you do, I promise to do the same.

Prologue

They say for every yin, there's a yang. Every death reaps new life. For every tear, somewhere in the world is a smile to balance it. Life is often alleged to be a series of events based on cause and effect. What about fate? How much of our lives are free will, and how much is predestined? Does happiness really hinge on being in the right place at the right time? If so, does that mean the majority of pain and sorrow are from being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Seems too simple to be true. Philosophers claim its impossible to truly know what joy is without ever knowing sorrow. Darkness and light chase each other in a never ending circle. The lines between pain and pleasure, love and hate are often so transcend able it is hard to distinguish one from the other. One officer is about to become ensnared in a tangled web. His life and the lives of those around him will be forever changed by a chance encounter. Has fate finally decided to be kind, or is this another cruel twist? That's for fate to know... and you and them to find out.

Chapter 1

9:22 PM the alley near Rolando's Liquor Store

She reeled backwards, colliding with the brick wall behind her from the force of the heavy blow. Another came quickly on its heels, barely giving her time to recover from the first before it connected soundly with her cheekbone. A ragged, pleading cry of fear and pain ripped from her throat and echoed eerily into the night. She curled her forearms up over her head, her fists clenched tightly as she buried her face behind them in a desperate attempt to escape the furious onslaught. A keening sob tore from her as iron like fists encircled her wrists and yanked them from her face. "Please." She begged, her shaky legs threatening to give out beneath her. Her captor's cruel grip was the only thing keeping her from slumping to the concrete.

He wrenched her hands away from her face, hauling her closer by a fistful of dark hair until his nose was touching hers. "Did you really think you could run away? New York might be a big city, honey, but I got eyes and ears everywhere." He snarled, giving her a slight shake.

Again, she cried out as he struck her across her face. Her fingers clutched at the hand tangled in her hair for support. The only thoughts she could muster were grateful that he had stopped using his fist. Grateful that now, he only struck her with his palm. A bright, blinding ray of light infiltrated her thoughts, illuminating the dark shadows of the alley. She clamped her eyes shut as stabbing protests shot through them at the unexpected invasion. Terror flooded her, wondering if he had made good on his threat to kill her as she felt herself falling to the ground. Her loud sobs died down to low whimpers as the heavy sound of rapid footfalls echoed farther and farther away from her. Kneeling on the cool concrete, she curled around herself in a tight ball, too afraid to move. Fear and shame prevented her from lifting her head and her heart almost stopped as a strong hand came to rest on one of her bowed shoulders.

"Hey. Ya alright, Miss?" A gruff, gravely voice inquired.