-Three and a half months later-

"Care to tell me how you were involved in the robbery John?"

The man sat there silent, his eyes set on the table underneath him. He was fiddling with his handcuffs as he rested his hands in his lap. He didn't want to talk to anyone about the crimes, let alone the very pregnant blonde cop sitting in front of him.

Michaela smiled up at him, knowing full well she was about to get him to break. "Ok." She said, "If you don't tell me, the security footage will. And if we find what we suspect you'll go away for a lon-"

"Fine," The man interrupted.

Michaela bit her lip in victory. 'Yes. Finally,' she thought.

"I'll tell you."


Michaela walked out of the interrogation room like she always had. Happy to have done her job well, and put someone behind bars. That feeling of pride and justice puffed her chest, making her feel on top of the world. But as she waddled to her desk breathless, she felt something else: annoyance.

Now thirty-six weeks pregnant and about to go into labor at any moment, she was slower than she used to be…. And she hated it. Everyone treated her like she was fragile, and she was in some areas, but she was still able to do her job. Normally twins were born before thirty-six weeks, but of course hers have decided to be fashionably late.

It was in these moments though, where she sat at her desk after completing an interrogation, that she missed Drea. She wished she was here to tell her to slow down and take it easy, even though it would piss her off. To ask her a million questions, and be there to cheer her on after taking somebody down. They were partners, and they'll always be… even if Drea was no longer here.

She was brought out of her thoughts when a cup of coffee was placed in front of her. She looked up to see Jared taking a seat in a chair across from her. "Figured you could use some. It's decaf."

"Oh." She spoke with a grin. "Thanks."

They tried so hard to remain friends through all of this, and she appreciated Jared backing away so they could have space. Everything their family experienced in the last nine months has been nothing short of insane. And she was grateful they were able to figure it out as a family without Jared.

She found who she was without him, and she really likes that person.

"How are you doing?"

Michaela smiled, leaning back in the chair and putting her hands on her bump. "Like I'm gonna explode." she said with a smirk. She took a sip of the coffee, gently placing it down so she could continue.

"I'm only half joking, I think these babies are just gonna…" She paused, opening her hands and making a popping motion with them, her mouth following along with a popping noise. "themselves right out."

Jared laughed, watching as Mick smiled back at him, slumping deeper into her chair. He was proud of her for being so strong. For continuing to work and work well. Though, he did hate seeing her so uncomfortable. That was something he wasn't sure he could voice anymore... it wasn't his place. Knowing that these things weren't his problems to fix cut him inside. Knowing that Mick is a wife to Zeke, and a mother to kids that aren't his, still hurt him. But he had to keep letting her go, she wasn't his anymore. It didn't kill him as bad as it used to, but it still stung.

"Do you have names picked out yet?" He asked.

Mick sat up, attempting to get herself in a position that didn't give her back pain. "You know, surprisingly we haven't agreed on them yet. We have a few ideas though."

He nodded in response. "I have an idea."

Mick knew exactly where he was going with this, and couldn't help but tease. "You better not say-"

"You should name the boy Jared." They said in unison before busting out into laughter. Even after all these years he still loved to be the class clown.

"We'll think about it."

Suddenly, her phone rang.

" on a sec Jared." She said as picked it up. Seeing that it was Ben, most likely about to tell her off, she sighed. "Hello?"

"Hey Mick, are you still at the precinct?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?" She knew now was the moment he would go off. Typical Ben for you. Between Zeke, him, and Cal, she had an army. If anyone messed with her there'd be hell to pay. Which she was thankful for, but also slightly annoyed by.

"Mick. You're-"

"-Super ridiculously pregnant and Adrian is still out there. I know, I know."

They hadn't seen Adrian since that night over three months ago, and they were all terrified. But Mick knew she had to live in some ways. She had to give her children some ounce of normalcy, even if it was just by her working and coming straight home.

"Well yes that." Ben spoke. "But what I was going to say is... you should see what Zeke and I did. I think you'll really like it. What time are you off?" He asked.

Mick was taken aback. What did he and Zeke do? She wondered. "Technically I'm off now."

"Great!" Ben replied. "See you in fifteen?"

Mick smiled. "Sure. Bye Ben."

She glanced over at Jared who was still sitting there. "Hey, I'm gonna head home. Apparently Zeke and Ben have something to show me at the house." She bit her lip and widened her eyes as if to say 'who knows what those two got themselves into.'

"Oh god. Let's hope they didn't set anything on fire." Teased Jared. Following Mick's stride, he stood up and walked with her towards the door. He stared at her for a moment, feeling every emotion possible. He swallowed hard, choking back tears as old daydreams flooded his mind. He had to get rid of them now. He had to let the dreams die. "Take care of yourself Mick."


"Zeke! Ben!" Michaela yelled as she walked in the door. She winced, feeling a sharp pain in her side. Her son wouldn't stop kicking her in the ribs for the life of him. She put her hand there, attempting to get him to calm down, but it only riled him up further. "Geez kid." She whispered.

Suddenly she heard Zeke yelp. "Ow! What the hell?!"

"Zeke?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'm here. I'd be fine if your son would stop kicking so hard."

She laughed. It sucked for Zeke that he had to feel the things she felt every now and then, but it was oh so funny for her to see. He wasn't much of a complainer, but she knew after this he'd never complain about anything ever again.

She followed his voice, and he and Ben were upstairs in the spare bedroom. She trecked up the steps, barely able to breathe and starting to break a sweat. God, she couldn't wait for this pregnancy to be over. "What are you guys doing in there?"

"Just open the door." She heard Zeke say.

She turned the knob, slowly peeking in and not knowing what she was about to see. As soon as the door was open she stopped in her tracks. Her jaw dropped as she saw what they had been working on. The room that was once full of boxes and things to be built, was now a complete nursery.

Michaela stepped inside, running her hands along the two cribs on the back wall. Beautiful stained wood, with a modern look. Pretty baby pink sheets encompassed with cherry blossoms were in the crib on the left. The right was blue with accents of clouds. The walls were a pretty gray, bringing the room together as one whole piece. "You.." Michaela began with tears in her eyes. "You guys did all this?"

Ben took her hand, squeezing it tight. "You like it?" Zeke asked. He watched as his wife couldn't hold back tears, and his heart was so full of joy. He needed this. He needed to see her happy. After everything they've gone through, she's gone through, she deserves something nice.

"I love it." Zeke and Ben held her tight, hugging her while she stared at the nursery. The reality of it all hitting her in a swift wave. It overwhelmed her, and filled her with so much joy at the same time.

"You still mad at us for getting you to leave work?" Zeke asked. She nodded her head no, wiping a tear from her eyes. "I'm glad I left. This is beautiful."

That night, Zeke and Michaela laid on the floor of the nursery, their bodies engulfed in the fluffy white rug in the center of the room. They held hands, dreaming about the future.

"Do you think Adrian will come back?" Mick asked out of the blue.

"I don't know." Zeke replied, turning his head to face Michaela. He scanned her eyes, feeling the fear in her body. "If he does, I'll kill him."

Mick squeezed his hand tighter. "I'm afraid."

Zeke put his hands on her face, holding her with all the might in his body. "I know. But I will protect you, all three of you, until my dying breath. He can't harm you. And if he tries, well, we all know how that'll go." Planting a kiss on her forehead, he let her stay like this. His lips pressed against her, and her body resting in his embrace.

He was ready to fight, and would do whatever it took to keep them all safe.

Whatever it takes.


Mick woke up on the warm nursery floor to the sun beaming through the curtains. They must've fallen asleep there last night. She reached her hand out for Zeke, but noticed he's no longer laying there. She turned her body, seeing the empty space. He's not usually up before her. It took her a few minutes to get up, but once she did, she headed down the stairs to find him.

"Zeke?"

No answer. She tried not to panic at the silence.

"Zeke?" She asked again hesitantly.

Suddenly, she heared him grunting loudly, and what sounded like a chair bobbling against the floor was reverberating in her ears.

"Zeke!"

She ran into the kitchen, seeing him tied up, trying to set himself free. "Zeke what the hell?!" She pulled the tape off of his mouth and quickly untied him. He grabbed her, pulling her into his embrace.

"What happened?! Who did this?" She asked in bewilderment.

He didn't know how to answer. He stared into her eyes, his lips quivering in fear and anger.

"Don't tell me." She asked, her hands covering her mouth in shock. How? Why would Adrian disappear for so long only to show up now?

"He was here." Zeke spoke. "And he's coming for us."


"Ok people. As far as we're concerned this man is dangerous and most likely armed. He is to be taken into our custody as soon as he's found, understand?"

Captain Bowers along with practically the entire 129th were standing in Michaela and Zeke's living room. Ben, Grace, Olive, Cal, Eden, Saanvi and TJ rushed right over as soon as Zeke called as well. With Michaela being so close to giving birth, it was better for them all to be together. They were safer as a group… at least they hoped they were. Ben wished they had done this three months ago, but at least they were doing it now. They had to stay together. They had to stay alive.

And if Adrian was after Mick, he'd soon be after Ben too.

Memories flooded Mick's mind of when this last happened. The Black Crow was on the loose, and they were afraid for their lives. The only difference this time is that Drea is not here, and the killer this time is a fallen angel. The memories haunted Mick as she stood next to her husband, only somewhat listening to what Bowers was saying.

"I want a car outside at all times. Hudson, Lake, you're on the first shift. Contact me if ANYTHING happens."

She turned to Michaela, who was frozen in thought and wrapped up in a blanket.

"We've got you Stone. Don't worry."

Michaela couldn't close her eyes. Every time darkness came upon her face, she saw that night. She saw Adrian in new visions, killing her while her family watched. Killing her brother and leaving them lifeless. She couldn't do this anymore.

Grace came and sat next to her on the couch, putting her hand on her leg. "You ok?" She asked. Grace's voice was always soft and sweet. Her tone was soothing, giving Mick comfort when nothing else could.

Mick cleared her throat. "I'm trying to be."

Grace rubbed her thigh. "It's ok if you aren't. We've got you for now."

Mick nodded, tears streaming down her face. She was so thankful for Grace, in every aspect of her life.

"Do you want something to eat?"

Mick laughed. "You already cooked something?" She asked in amazement.

"Oh come on. You expect Zeke and I to be left alone in the kitchen and not cook?"

Mick smiled, lifting her arms up. "True." Shutting her eyes tight, she feelt that sharp pain once again in her side.

"Coming?" Grace asked as she stood up.

"I'll meet you there in a sec."

Suddenly, she was no longer on the couch anymore. Her surroundings changed with a flash of light. Once she felt her feet on the ground, she opened her eyes. What faced her was not her living room, the woods, or even the cave. She found herself face to face with her brother, standing on the rooftop of a building in the city.

"Ben….where are we?" She asked in a panic. "Is this a calling?"

He walked forward, looking down hundreds of feet at the traffic below. His stomach turned at the sight. God, he really hated heights. "I don't think so."

A gust of wind whispered behind them, causing them both to jerk the other way. Ben scanned their surroundings. Not seeing anything, he spun himself in a circle as he attemted to find whoever… whatever… brought them there. "Hello!" He cried out. Another gust of wind blew past them. He jerked his head backwards, only to find Adrian hovering in front of them.

Adrian stepped his feet to the ground, quickly morphing from angel to human. His wings melted into his back like the dripping wax of a candle.

"Step away from my sister." Ben spoke, pulling Mick behind him.

"Oh Ben." Adrian's tone was condescending… prideful. It was as though he was mocking him.

"You made this so easy. Now I know who to kill first."

Adrian lited up his hands, throwing Ben to the side in a surge of power.

"NO!" Michaela screamed, watching as her brother crash landed into a wall at the right of them. He cried out in pain, gripping his head in his hands.

"Don't you dare touch him Adrian!" She yelled. Here she was, staring at the enemy all alone. She felt defenseless, hopeless. Like she was naked in the midst of a battle.

"Oh. I have something special planned for you Michaela."

'STOP!"

Adrian turned, stunned to see who was standing there. Zeke's eyes were wide with anger, and he was clutching his hands in tight fists at his sides. Adrian's mind went in every direction. How did she get there? How did he find them?"

"Zeke!" Michaela yelled. For the first time in a while, she felt relief. Every time she saw his face, she felt like she was home. She knew everything would be ok.

She knew he would save her.

"I'm here! Don't- Don't worry!" Zeke replied.

Adrian laughed, turning back over to Michaela. "I am so going to enjoy this."

"Adrian please. Don't hurt her!"

"Don't worry. It'll be painless."

He lifted Mick into the air, with a swift motion of his arm. She put her hands over her throat, unable to breathe. She thrashed with all her might, trying to get herself free of his grip.

"There's no saving her now!" Adrian laughed.

"LET HER GO!" Zeke screamed. He didn't know what to do. If he put a hand on him, he would drop Michaela to the ground. It was too high of a height, she would be hurt if she fell to the concrete from where he was holding her. But If he stood and watched, he would drop Michaela off the edge.

She wouldn't survive.

"THINK about this Adrian! She's pregnant!"

"The less Stones, the merrier.''

The cult leader they once knew. The man trying to turn from his mistakes and following the call. The man who was trying to figure out the mystery of 828 after disappearing… was no longer. He had no sympathy left in his body. He was not Adrian… He never was. He was evil. And he was about to kill three people Zeke never dreamed of living without.

"Adrian." Michaela begged, a tear falling from her eyes as she gasped for breath. She could feel her color changing, and the will to fight beginning to fade.

"Adrian please!" Zeke pleaded, his voice broken from the tears. .

Adrian was silent, watching Michaela as she fell still, no longer able to keep fighting. She had no energy left… and barely any oxygen.

He stared into Michaela's eyes one last time, and she knew.

She knew at that moment all hope was lost.

She felt his grip leave her throat, and her body fall backwards as Adrian's hand fell to his side. The last thing she saw was Zeke lunging toward her, pushing Adrian down against the cement.

She glued her eyes to the sky above, her arms stoic and lifeless beside her, pushed by the extreme force of wind.

She shut her eyes as she began to fall faster, not able to bear the thought of seeing anything but darkness when she hit the bottom.

They failed. She failed

How could this be it?

How could Adrian win like this?

And how do you pray when you're plummeting hundreds of feet down?


Wow. Yeah, I'm not sure what to say after this... excet part II will be out next week! I started a new job this month and my schedule has been all over the place. I'm just glad I got this out on time. Please don't hate me for this chapter, just hold on for part II! I can't believe this story is so close to being done. It's been a wild ride guys, and for those who has stayed since the beginning I love you so so much. And to new readers I also love you so so much! Thank you for sticking with me.

As always, let me know what you thought about this chapter here or via my twitter!

Love you all and see you next week!

- The Color Gray