Chapter 67
The echo of the gunshots seemed to go on forever, but in reality, it only lasted a few seconds. Bobby continued to shelter Tara's slender form with his body against the wall as he deftly scanned the hallway.
Seeing no immediate threats, Bobby looked down at the petite blonde in his arms. The feel of her body pressed against his through the thin material of his hospital gown and robe distracted him from the activities going on around him.
When Tara looked up at him her hazel eyes wide, Bobby felt his breath catch in his chest. He tried to tell himself that his quickening pulse was due to the adrenaline rushing through his veins, but he knew better. When she looked up at him that way, all Bobby wanted was to kiss away the world, so that is was just the two of them forever.
Bobby wanted so much to protect her from whatever was going on down the hallway, but Tara was an agent just like him. Tara would never let him, or any man, come between her and her job, especially when her friends were involved.
However, Bobby felt he had to find a way to keep her safe, but let her have her freedom. He didn't know why but she'd became very important to him, so important that he couldn't imagine being without her. Bobby felt himself drawn to her and while his head screamed to stop, his heart just couldn't release her yet as he dropped his head to capture her parted lips.
A soft moan from behind him brought Bobby back to reality as he swung around, trying to push Tara behind him. Instead, she broke away from his grasp, rushing forward before he could stop her. He was just about ready to call out to her when Tara knelt beside Tracey, and Bobby realized the other woman was coming to.
With a quick glance down the hallway towards Sue's room, Bobby moved over and gingerly crouched down beside Tara. He watched as Tara brushed her dark brown hair back from Tracey's pale face. He was happy to see the young woman's dark eyes slowly open, but concerned at the clouds of pain he saw when they locked with his over Tara's shoulder.
"Myles?" Tracey whispered hoarsely, and Tara looked back at Bobby confused.
"Take it easy, shelia," Bobby soothed taking her hand in his. "We'll get you some help really soon," he put his other hand comfortingly on Tara's back.
"No," Tara shook her head, trying to clear her head of the jumbled thoughts at his touch. "I forgot, Myles was supposed to be here with Tracey."
"Then, where'd he go?" Bobby wondered aloud.
"Jarrett," Tracey answered quietly, the pain in her voice evident. "In the ER…Myles went down to help," she groaned, her hand moving to the neckline of her scrubs. Only then did Tara and Bobby see the radio earpiece sticking out of her collar.
"She has a two-way," Tara announced, her hands carefully grabbing the wire and pulling it away so she could replace hers with it. "We can call down to the van and find out what is going on," she told Bobby.
"Sam three-seven to Sam three-nine," Tara called, interrupting the conversation over the radio as she watched Bobby pick up her discarded earpiece to listen in.
"Sam three-nine," came the response. "Sam three-seven, where are you? Where is Sam three-two?" Tara could hear the confusion and worry in D's voice as he questioned her.
"Sam three-two is here with me," Tara stated, glancing at Bobby briefly. "Tango two-four is down, I repeat, Tango two-four is down," she told him.
"Affirmative, Sam three-seven," D answered calmly. "Are you secure?"
"Negative," Tara called. "Primary suspect has a hostage in Room 312…shots fired," she announced, worried eyes flashing between Bobby and Tracey. While she'd gone on several undercover assignments and raids, Tara wasn't used to being on this side of the communications.
"Confirmed," D acknowledged. "Backup is on the south stairwell, but the door is blocked with something. Can you assist?"
Bobby turned back to the hallway, looking for the exit sign indicating the stairs. Seeing it just past Sue's room, he shook his head.
"There is no way to get to it without going by Sue's room," he notified Tara. "Can they make it up the north stairs?" Bobby asked.
"No, it would take too long," Tara informed him. "Jack and Sue need help."
"But we need back up, and we can't get to them," Bobby rejected her idea. "We can't do this alone."
"We're not going to," Tara stated firmly. "I can get to the stairway, but I need you to cover me," she met his eyes, and he saw the fierce determination in their hazel depths.
"Tara…" he started only to be interrupted by her thrusting her gun into his hands.
Before he could stop her, Tara slipped around him and started down the hall. Bracing himself against the wall, Bobby shifted the gun into his right hand, prepared to use it if needed.
His heart pounded as he watched her pick her way towards Sue's room, pausing just briefly on one side of the door. Bobby saw her peek at the window, a dark shadow enveloping her features as Tara took a deep breath. He wondered what she saw as she ducked below the window and scurried to the other side.
Bobby breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Tara had made it to the stairwell door. That was until he saw Sue's door begin to open, and Bobby realized Tara was totally visible by whoever came out.
She doesn't hear it, he thought worriedly. Hurry, Tara, Bobby prayed, raising the gun towards the door prepared to shoot.
Chapter 68
Tara met Bobby's eyes over her shoulder as D told them of their backup's dilemma. Recalling the mind-numbing sounds of the earlier gunfire from Sue's room, she knew she couldn't leave her friends without help.
Since she and Bobby were supposed to be in his room, neither of them wore vests. They had no protection to go in there by themselves.
Seeing how close they were to the stairwell, and to the help they needed, made the decision easy for her. With Bobby's injuries, Tara knew she had to do it.
She was much smaller than Bobby, which she figured would make it easier for her to sneak past the window in Sue's door undetected. Tara also remembered Bobby's time in S.W.A.T. made him a better shot, should they need it.
I just hope we don't need it, Tara prayed as memories of the first time she'd used her gun flashed through her mind.
Not giving herself time to think anymore, Tara thrust her gun into Bobby's unsuspecting hands. Spinning around, she quickly pulled away from him and started down the hallway, keeping her eyes on the hospital room door.
As she scooted down the wall towards her destination, she could feel Bobby's glare burrowing holes into her back. Tara wanted to turn back to reassure him, but knew if she did, her boldness would quickly disappear.
Coming to Sue's door, Tara paused taking a deep breath. Glancing through the thin window into the room, she felt the panic rise within her.
Tara could see Kayla Jarrett slumped in a chair against the wall. The woman who Tara saw following Kayla into the room stood over her, waving a gun around erratically. She was muttering something, but wasn't loud enough for Tara to hear through the door.
What I wouldn't give to have Sue's abilities right now, Tara thought ruefully. Suddenly, the woman moved, and Tara saw Sue leaning against the far wall, her hand clinched tightly in Matt's
Where's Jack? Tara worried when she realized the dark-haired agent was nowhere in sight.
Tara had been involved in several hostage situations during her time at the Bureau, even Sue when she disappeared with Malone. However, this was the first time she'd actually seen any of her friends being held at gunpoint.
Suck it up, Williams, she admonished herself harshly. You're a F.B.I. agent, and they need your help, Tara told herself firmly.
Crouching low to the floor, Tara slid soundlessly under the window, inching her way towards the stairwell door. Relief washed over her as she realized that only a metal pipe, ran through the door handle and braced against the wall, held the door shut.
Gripping the pipe with both hands, Tara's eyes locked with Myles' through the window. She jerked trying to dislodge the pipe from its prison behind the handle, not hearing the door behind her as it began to open.