Following his new morning routine Connor always made an effort to stop by Abby's house to check on her before he went to work and always made sure he ran a biometric scan on their developing baby for his own peace of mind. The kind technician didn't mind the extra attention since it guaranteed that Connor wouldn't show up at her facility while she was working for an impromptu visit, and since Hank knew from experience that giving a pregnant woman a doughnut or another sweet treat was a guaranteed way to help her get off on the right foot, he accompanied Connor to the house for a quick visit before he returned to the car to wait.

While Abby finished her chocolate doughnut and sipped at her ginger tea in the kitchen she let Connor press his right palm over her growing baby bump and check in on how things were steadily progressing. The deviant was absolutely fascinated by everything happening and he was determined to keep his life as peaceful as possible for the sake of his unborn child.

"So, how's the little nugget doing today?" Putting her empty mug aside Abby pressed her hand over top of Connor's hand. "Any name ideas yet?"

"No, I haven't thought of any names." Keeping his hand in place Connor noted the mild growth spurt that had happened over the past week. "For thirteen weeks the baby is indeed bigger than average."

"Must the Grayson-curse rearing its ugly head."

Moving his hand from Abby's belly Connor gave her a truly odd look. "...The what?"

"The supposed family curse. In my family the baby's are always on the bigger side. I was eight and half pounds, my later older brother was nine pounds and fourteen ounces, and from what I understand both of my parents and all four of my grandparents were averaging nine pounds minimum and ten pounds maximum at birth."

"Oh. That might explain the large growth."

"Hey, with all your scanning and constant attention we'd know if I was carrying twins by now. And for future reference," she gave Connor a playful yet intimidating glare. "if you ever do knock me up with twins I'm going to personally remove your 'external hard drive', if you get my drift."

Connor's brow arched a little as he picked up on the idle threat and decided to not press that matter. "I believe I understand."

"Good." Giving the deviant a kiss on his lips Abby pulled her dark purple blouse back down and sighed at the way she had a noticeable bump pressing against the fabric. "It's weird, I actually can't wait to have the bigger belly since this looks more like a beer-belly," as she spoke Abby rubbed her left palm over the front of her growing baby-bump. "or like I smuggled out all the discount Christmas cookies in my stomach."

"You look fine."

"That was the right answer. Okay, so I'm clocking out at my usual eight o'clock hour, and yes," she stopped Connor before he could get started. "I will take more frequent breaks to keep my ankles and hips from getting too sore. After that I'm going to come home and take a nice hot shower and go to bed. Tomorrow I'm finally going to go into the maternity stores and buy bigger clothes that I hope I never outgrow."

"I'll... I'll stay home if I can help it. I don't want to smother you."

"You're not smothering me, Connor. You're just trying to take care of us and you are." Leading the way to the front door Abby grabbed her purse and car keys and waved at Hank as the senior detective waited in the Oldsmobile parked just a few yards away from her driveway. "You just need to remember to take care of yourself in the process."

"I'll try."

"That's all we ask for. See you later, Connor."

"Have a good day, Abby."

From the driver's seat of the old car Hank smirked as he could see Abby's baby0bump from the distance and couldn't deny that he was getting excited at the idea of having a little baby in the house again. Watching as Connor joined him in the car Hank gave Connor a calm nod of his head. "Looks like everything is just fine."

"Yes, Abby is feeling well and the baby is developing normally."

"Couple more months and you'll be able to find out the gender, too."

"We don't want to know."

Shifting the car from park and into drive Hank pulled out onto the street after Abby's car backed down her driveway and turned so she could drive to the facility for her usual shift. "You want it to be a surprise?"

"I believe Abby wants to detach a little as the pregnancy continues since she's giving me sole custody."

"I guess that makes sense. But do you want to know?"

"As I continue to scan over the developing baby I will eventually determine its gender whether I want to or not."

"Ten bucks says it'll be a boy."

"Why's that?"

Turning at the next block Hank shrugged his shoulders as if the answer was the most casual thing in the world. "She's already showing. Baby boys are typically bigger than girls, and if she's already got a bump when she's just barely entered the second trimester, I'm leaning toward her carrying a very healthy and big baby boy."

"That seems logical."

The optimistic discussion put Hank in a great and surprisingly chipper mood. "Hope you have better luck with picking names than Gavin did."

"He still hasn't decided?"

"Nope." Keeping up to date with everything happening in the bullpen Hank knew through Tina that no official name had been selected just yet. "And that kid's mother is due to go into labor at any second. Hell, she could be delivering the kid right now."

"I still have five months and three weeks to decide." Trying to not obsess over that detail Connor stared at the sidewalks outside the vehicle as a group of school kids all rushed to the neighboring playground before school started. "I'm sure the right name will come along soon enough."

"That's what every new parent says..."

Arriving at the bullpen right on time to begin their shifts, the two detectives were met with a large pile of paperwork just waiting for their attention. That same morning, barely twenty minutes before the duo clocked-in at the precinct, there had been a massive jailbreak that resulted in at least over three dozen dangerous criminals running loose throughout the entire city. Due to the size of the jailbreak and the large assortment of criminals that had escaped, several of whom had yet to be properly identified, every precinct was now on high alert. With the news looking for ratings the story broke almost instantly, and the entire city was instantly put on edge.

Worried of course for Abby and their unborn child Connor contacted her and told her to put the Zeta Facility on lockdown - no humans in or out without proper identification, and told himself that she'd be safe in a place that was designated primarily for deviants and not humans. Cybernetically Connor tapped into the current police broadcasts to keep track of the jailbreak. The broadcasts were as busy as the bullpens.

"All right, we're going to go stay here and direct traffic." Hank stated calmly as he placed a Kevlar vest down on Connor's desk. He shrugged off his heavy coat and slipped his own Kevlar vest on to protect himself. "We're gearing up now in case we need to go out into the street."

"Right." Removing his own leather jacket and blazer Connor quickly put his Kevlar vest over his gray dress vest and white dress shirt, and moved his holster to his right hip instead of his back. "The broadcasts are all monitoring the emergency tip lines, but it's difficult to separate validated tips from panicked mistaken identification."

"I know you already told Abby to go into lockdown. Did you tell her what's up?"

"Yes. I also told her to monitor the news closely, to not leave the facility and to not drive back to her house tonight. We'll escort her home later."

"Good. That's the best thing for everyone." Glancing about the bullpen Hank noted that every available officer was clocking-in and eager to help out. That included Chris, who still had a week of paternity leave left, and Hank knew that Chirs was more focused on keeping his family safe by going on patrol rather than just locking the doors of his house. "Looks like every damn cop in the entire city is on high alert."

"Shouldn't that be expected?"

"Yup." Checking his service weapon Hank made sure the gun was clean, the clip was loaded and that the safety was on. "Guess without a mayor to fuck shit up with their political agenda things are being handled properly these days."

Captain Fowler exited his office and addressed the bullpen in his deep and commanding voice. "Listen up, people." The frantic murmuring of the bullpen silenced save for the briefly ringing phones being cybernetically answered by the deviant staff members recording tips and sending updates to the patrol outside the precinct. "We all know what the fuck is happening, and we all know it's important to keep everyone calm. Check your terminals for your assignments and partners, and get your asses out there. There has been a confirmed number of forty-one escaped convicts. The names are being uploaded to your terminals as I speak. Familiarize yourself with the names and faces, and enforce the temporary curfew to keep every single person inside at all times."

Actively Connor pressed his exposed right hand to his terminal screen to download all of the key details while Captain Fowler continued to give orders.

"Every building is on lockdown." The seasoned officer confirmed in a loud tone. "All schools are being monitored by personal security and patrol, all places of business are now closed, all hotels, apartments and homes are to be locked up and secured. Hospitals, facilities and fire stations have personal security monitoring every single door and all times. Those without I.D.'s will be brought in for questioning - no exceptions. You have your orders, now move your asses!"

Turning back to face Connor across from his desk Hank was about to ask the deviant he had any hits on any of the escaped convicts, but the red pulsing L.E.D. and wide brown eyes told Hank that something more serious was at hand. "Kid? What's going on?"

Lowering his shaking right hand from his terminal screen Connor locked eyes with Hank and lowered his voice to avoid spreading any fear. "One of the escaped convicts is George Ironside." Glancing over at Gavin's desk Connor watched as the now pale faced and shaking detective held his phone to his right ear. "He's assaulted Gavin numerous times in the past and was arrested for attempted sexual assault and trying to break into his old apartment over a year ago."

As he contemplated what Connor was telling him Hank's right hand hovered over the gun holstered at his right hip. "Shit."

Pacing a little at his desk Gavin broke a sweat and waited for Aaron to answer the line. "Come on, babe... I need to hear your voice. I need to know that you're safe!"

Thinking quickly Connor sent a cybernetic message to Lucas and asked if he recognized the convict of interest. Already aware of the dangerous man's escape Lucas stated that he and Noreen were going to check out the old apartment building where George had attempted to break into, and see if George had gone back in search of Gavin.

"Fuck!" When he reached only Aaron's voicemail Gavin pocketed his phone and was about to rush out of the bullpen when Tina hooked his right arm to hold him back for a minute. "Let go, Ti'! I need to find my husband!"

"Stop!" Pleading in a docile and logical tone Tina tried to get her best friend to take a deep breath for a moment. "You need to ca-"

"I can't get a hold of Aaron and my fucked up ex is stalking the city from somewhere I can't see!" Shouting in anger Gavin's voice echoed with raw emotions throughout the bullpen. "I am NOT going to calm down!"

'Connor!' Lucas's voice popped into the deviant's head as he was given an update. 'We checked the apartment and George had been there approximately four point two minutes ago. The landlord directed him to Gavin's last apartment and the neighbors told him that he moved out months ago, and confirmed that he had moved in with his new beau.'

'Lucas, go to Aaron's fire station and find him. Gavin cannot reach him and I-'

'I understand,' Lucas didn't need any reason to check on his friend's safety. 'we're heading there now.'

"Hank," speaking out loud Connor gave the senior detective an update on the situation at hand. "by all account George is looking for Gavin and it seems Gavin cannot get in contact with Aaron."

"Fuck me... That prick is out for revenge."

Wrestling his arm out of Tina's grasp Gavin tried to rush out the door again only to have his phone start ringing with Aaron's number. "Fuckin' finally!" Answering the call Gavin pressed the phone back to his ear and tried to breathe a sigh of relief. "Aaron, why didn't you-" Stopping short and paling to a sickly shade of death white Gavin's gray-hazel eyes lit up with rage as he screamed into the phone. "YOU LET HIM GO YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"

Without a word Connor tapped into Gavin's phone and set up a secondary line to the precinct to record the phone conversation.

'Now, now, Gavvy...' George's voice taunted with malicious intent over the line. Even unseen the twisted grin on the man's face was evident. 'That's no way to talk to me.'

"Let Aaron go, this shit is between us!"

'And know what else is between us? Your pretty little boy-toy. I told you already Gavin, you're mine. No one else can have you.'

"If you want me then come and get me you worthless son of a bitch!"

'And walk into a trap set-up by your pathetic little cop buddies? Come on, Gavvy, you know me better than that.'

"What the fuck do you want?" As he spoke Gavin began to shake with fear and had gathered a crowd of worried onlookers. Captain Fowler noticed that the phone call was being recorded and ordered Ben to try to trace the call and figure out where George was hiding out. "You can't make me love you! You can stalk me, threaten me and torture me all you want, but I'll never love you! Leave my husband alone, let him go!"

George was silent for a moment before his voice returned over the line with a growl. 'So that's how it's going to be, huh? You honestly think you can just leave-'

"I did leave, asshole! I left you, moved on with my life and I actually found someone who treats me right! I remember all those bullshit lies you tried to feed me," the way Gavin was speaking was emotional and he risked George ending the call before a trace could be found, but no one dared to say a thing about what was happening. "and for a while I believed them. Then I learned they were all fucking lies and YOU ARE WRONG! You were wrong about everything! You're a pathetic, sad, little man who never left high school! When I find you I'm going to put you down like the sick dog you are, do you hear me? You're going to regret ever laying a hand on me, and pray for death for EVER laying a hand on Aaron! I'm going find you and kill you myself!"

'...Bold words for such-'

"FUCK YOU! I'm coming for you and you better be fucking ready!"

'Fine. I'll be waiting with your late husband.' The threat was not to be taken lightly and George taunted Gavin further. 'Say "goodbye" to Gavvy, this will be the last time you ever have the chance.'

There was a cough and sputter before Aaron's creaking voice spoke over the line. '...G-Gavin? I love you! Don't wor-'

The line went dead and Gavin let out a frustrated yell before he threw his phone against the far wall shattering the device into a pile of scrap metal and glass. Leaning both hands atop his desk Gavin let out a single frustrated sob as a tear rolled down his face and fell to the desk top beneath him. Taking in a shaking breath Gavin tried to not think of the worst case scenario as Tina leaned against Gavin's back and wrapped her arms around his chest to give him a supportive hug.

"Got it!" Ben shouted as he confirmed the location of Aaron's phone before the call ended. "They're at the abandoned 'East Perdition Hotel'!"

Taking the lead Hank motioned to Connor and hustled toward the front doors of the precinct. "Let's go, you drive!"

"On it!" Grabbing the keys to a squad car as the vehicle was much faster than the Oldsmobile, Connor rushed through the front doors and toward the side parking lot where all of the patrol cars were being stored. 'Lucas, did you listen to the recorded phone call?'

'Yes, I informed Captain Rourke of the situation and I'm currently on the way to the hotel with Noreen to find Aaron.'

'How did George get him?' Opening the driver's side door Connor noticed that a small army of other officers had followed him and Hank out of the front doors, all ready to go to Aaron's rescue. 'Every location was supposed to be on lockdown.'

'Aaron had been with his crew and responding to a reported gas leak at a local elementary school. We traced the call to an emergency line on the corner of the school's block, and suspect that George called in the false alarm to lure Aaron out into the open.'

'And how did George learn that Aaron was a firefighter, learn what he looked like, and of his assigned station?'

'Our old neighbors at the apartment tend to gossip. I suspect they unknowingly set Aaron up to be abducted...'

'Damn.' Speeding out of the parking lot with the squad car's lights and siren blaring Connor led the charge to the hotel of interest. 'Our E.T.A. is four minutes and seventeen seconds out.'

'I'm currently less than one minute away. We'll begin sweeping the hotel from the basement and work our way up.'

'Right.' Informing Hank of the plan Connor ended the call with Lucas and increased his speed as he drove. "Lucas and Noreen are almost at the hotel. They'll begin a sweep from the basement and move upward."

"Give me a rundown on this George asshole."

"George Ironside, thirty-nine years of age at a height of six feet, and one-hundred and twenty-two pounds of muscle. He's Caucasian with blond hair and blue eyes. Spent two years in Juvenile hall before going into the army for eight years." Connor recounted accurately. "George was dishonorably discharged due to his violent temper and spent the ten additional years jumping from job to job as he moved himself away from Virginia, where he had been originally assigned in the army, and made his way back to Detroit. Last winter he found Gavin, assaulted him and was promptly arrested."

"That fucker is obsessed with Gavin and wants to make the guy suffer for moving on with his life."

"Correct. It seems he sees Gavin as property rather than a person, and as such anyone else being a part of Gavin's life is inexcusable in George's mind."

'Connor,' Lucas's voice returned to Connor's mind through a cybernetic link. 'we're checking over the hotel but we're not finding any sign of a break-in or other disturbances.'

"Keep looking." Connor replied out loud and cybernetically to keep Hank in the loop. "We're nearly there."

Based on the context of the comments Hank knew that Lucas and Noreen reached a dead end in their search. "No luck?"

"Negative."

As the squad car sped to the hotel Hank spotted the patrol car that Lucas and Noreen had been using already parked out front, and then looked at the neighboring buildings. The hotel wasn't the only abandoned property on that block. With no one around to act as witnesses and no actively recording security cameras anyone could hide in any of the surrounding abandoned buildings for days at a time.

"Connor, run a scan on the surrounding buildings. See if you can detect human vital signs outside of the hotel's property."

"I'll try. These buildings are quite old and have impure materials used in the construction that hold trace amounts of lead." Opening the driver's side door Connor performed a scan over the immediate area and isolated the vital signs of Hank and the other surrounding officers as he tried to find Aaron and George before it was too late. "I can't seem to detect-"

A strange flicker of something caught his attention as he turned around and faced the deserted department store behind him.

"Lucas, have you found anything inside the hotel?"

'Negative. We've swept the basement and have checked every room on the third of a total of eight floors.'

"We're outside." Watching as the other officers swarmed the hotel Connor gave his little brother an update on the situation. "Back-up has arrived. Hank and I are going to examine the abandoned store across the street from the hotel. I may have detected something."

'Keep the line open.'

"Will do." Checking his own weapon Connor walked toward the doors of the department store with Hank watching his back. Scanning over the doors Connor saw freshly chipped paint on the door right around the lock as if it has been forced open by a metal tool. Checking the door's handle Connor was able to easily pull the door open and peer inside the building. "This is where George is hiding. Aaron must be here, too."

"Fresh shoe prints." Hank motioned to the disturbed dust and plaster particles on the linoleum floor. "Two sets. One walking," he observed as he pulled his own weapon from the holster on his right hip. "the other set looks like drag marks."

"I can sense faint vital signs in the rear section of the store. Two humans."

"You take the lead... I got your back."

Moving with silent steps and his gun aimed down at the floor before him Connor crept toward the back area where Connor could detect the vital signs. The signs were getting stronger, but one set of vitals was stronger than the second set, and moving away from the second set. As the two detectives neared the back area, what was once a large stockroom that housed thousands of clothes to be purchased, Connor heard a small groan of pain that made his blue L.E.D. flash to red with alarm.

"Someone's back there, I believe it's Aaron."

"Move carefully, kid."

Pushing open the powerless sliding doors with his bare hands Connor kept low and led the way through the empty stockroom in search of the person who groaned in pain. The smell of fresh blood filled the air and made both detectives suddenly feel sick to their stomachs.

Near the back of the room, laying on his left side with his arms and legs bound behind his back, Aaron coughed and spit out a mouthful of blood on the floor as he struggled to breathe. The massive dark bruises and swelling on his face around his nose, eyes, cheeks and lips indicated numerous broken facial bones due to blunt force trauma. Labored breathing and choking coughs confirmed that he had suffered broken ribs and internal damage to his abdomen.

"I'm requesting an ambulance to this address." Connor stated as he holstered his gun and knelt down beside Aaron. "I've also informed back-up of the true address of the situation at hand."

"Where the fuck is this George asshole?" Hank darted his blue eyes around as he planted himself between Connor and Aaron, and the door where they had entered the stockroom. Passing through the doorway Hank swept over the opened floor in search of the demented man. "He has to be close..."

Connor removed the binds from around Aaron's wrists and ankles as he checked over Aaron's spine, neck and skull for any damage. "Aaron? If you're conscious try to not move or talk." Cupping the back of Aaron's head and neck in his left palm Connor gently rolled the wounded firefighter from his side and onto his back to ensure he had a clear airway with his right hand. "Help is on its way."

Aaron's green eyes were dull and barely visible through the swollen eyelids around them. Too weak and dazed to move his hands the wounded man swallowed the blood collecting in the back of his mouth as he managed to speak around his broken teeth and swollen lips. "...T-Tell Gavin I l-love him."

"You can tell him that yourself."

"...D-Didn't say it. N-Never said I h-hated G-Gavin. Love him... A-Always will."

"Don't speak." Biometrically scanning over Aaron's vital signs Connor began chronicling the internal damage he had sustained from George's ruthless beatings and torture. Bruised kidney, ruptured spleen, hemorrhaging liver, partially collapsed right lung, bruised and swelling heart, six fractured ribs, two entirely broken ribs, right shoulder dislocation, broken right kneecap, spiral fractures of both forearms, eight of the man's ten fingers had been broken, and based on Aaron's slurred speech and distant gaze he had suffered a serious concussion. "The ambulance is on its way."

"...G-Gavin?"

"He's safe."

"...D-Daughter?"

"Your daughter?"

"...F-Finally know..." A broken and bloody smile graced his swollen lips. "Her name."

Leaning down close Connor let Aaron whisper the name to him as a means of helping the firefighter save his strength. "That's a good name, Aaron. I'm sure Gavin will agree."

Coughing loudly a massive gush of blood erupted from Aaron's mouth and his body went rigid shortly before he began seizing.

"Shit!" Holding Aaron down as best as he could with aggravating his wounds Connor informed the paramedics of the situation at hand. "He's seizing!"

Hearing footsteps approach him from behind Connor turned and was greeted by a bloody crowbar being waved in his face. Tracing the hand holding the weapon up the arm under an orange jumpsuit, and toward the man's face Connor realized that George was in fact closer than they thought.

"Good..." George sneered as right hand tightened around the blood covered tool. "Let him die."

"I won't do that, George." Monitoring the seizing man's vitals Connor refused to let Aaron suffer and die in a such a cruel and needless manner. "He's going to get medical attention and he's going to live. You will be returning to prison where you belong."

"You should give that medical attention to that old man over there..." Motioning to Hank now laying face down and unconscious on the floor near the stockroom's doorway George flashed Connor a sinister sneer. "Sleeping off a bad headache."

"You're going back to jail, George. Don't add two counts of murder to your already staggering list of charges."

Raising the crowbar up and over his head with both hands George aimed the weapon near the crown of Connor's head, knowing that the deviant wouldn't dare move his arms to protect himself while Aaron was seizing on the floor beside him. "Who said I was going to stop at just two?"

Reacting in the only way he could Connor threw himself over Aaron's seizing body as if to shield him from further damage. Waiting for the first painful strike of the crowbar to make contact with his cranium Connor jumped when the sound of a gunshot echoed through the back room with a deafening arrival.

Looking up again as the crowbar fell from George's right hand and onto the floor with a metallic clatter, Connor saw the red circle of blood spreading over George's chest where the bullet had passed through his body. A second gunshot rang out as a second bullet passed through the back of George's skull, then a third and fourth shot passed through the upper portions of his chest near the first wound.

George's body went limp as he fell to his knees, then collapsed backward on the cold hard ground. The dangerous man was dead before his body had even hit the floor.

Standing the doorway of the stockroom was Gavin with a smoking and shaking gun in his grip. Panting in shallow breaths he lowered his gun at his side as tears rolled down his face. "...Told you I'd kill you."

The seizing finally stopped and Connor's full attention was returned to Aaron's body. Feeling the firefighter's racing heart suddenly enter an arrhythmia before stopping Connor moved on autopilot and tore open Aaron's already tattered dark shirt to expose his horribly bruised chest. "Cardiac arrest."

"Fucking... No!"

As Connor placed one hand over top of the other and interlaced his fingers together Connor pressed his now single fist down over the center of Aaron's chest and began rhythmic compressions. After reaching ten Connor stopped the compressions long enough for Gavin to deliver two rescue breaths as they worked together to revive the downed firefighter.

"Come on, Aaron." Gavin pleaded as he stared at his husband's swollen face. "You need to come back! You still have a daughter you need to meet!"

Lucas and Noreen had finished sweeping the hotel and made their way over to the department building as soon as they heard the gunshots. While the two newly arrived detectives checked over Hank, finding him unconscious after being attacked from behind and choked out, Lucas cybernetically informed the paramedics that Aaron was receiving C.P.R. and needed immediate attention.

"Hank?" Patting Hank's left cheek lightly Lucas tried to wake him up, while Noreen made sure George was dead. It was a silent and mutual decision to not even try to revive the deceased convict. "Hank, you must wake up."

The front doors were broken open by the other officers to give the paramedics full clearance to the area to work on Aaron. As the gurney was rolled into the stockroom Connor gave the two paramedics an update on Aaron's current vital signs, and waited until they had their equipment set up before backing away and letting the two medics perform C.P.R. on the still unconscious firefighter.

Stepping away Connor put both hands on Gavin's shoulders to drag him back, the smaller man put up quite the expected fight since he didn't want to leave his husband's side, and made him leave the stockroom for a moment. "Gavin, I need to take your weapon." Slowly reaching for the gun in Gavin's holster Connor took the gun away, and held onto it since Gavin had shot and killed George. "You also need to step back and recuse yourself from this case."

Gavin's only thoughts were for Aaron. "...Aaron needs to live."

"He will, he's strong."

"...We have a daughter on the way."

"I know. It'll be okay."

"...How?" Looking to Connor with unshed tears in his glassy eyes Gavin tried but failed to glare at the deviant. "How can you know he's going to be okay?!"

"It's because you have a child on the way that I know Aaron isn't going to leave you or her behind. He'll make it."

The sound of the defibrillator sending a controlled jolt of electricity through Aaron's arrhythmic heart made Gavin lose what was left of his cool and begin to silently cry in the face of the traumatic event. "...I can't do this without him!"

Lucas stood up slowly from the floor to take Gavin aside while Connor resumed checking over Hank. Since Lucas was a closer friend to Gavin than Connor was it made sense for the younger of the two deviants to help him through his heartwrenching moment.

"Hank?" Watching as Hank's eyelids fluttered a little Connor called his name in a loud voice to get him to wake up. "Hank, please respond."

The senior detective's deep voice resonated through the empty store loudly. "...Connor."

"That's right."

"Fuckin' hell... My head's killing me!"

"You were placed in a choke hold from behind and rendered unconscious." Helping Hank to sit up on the floor Connor monitored the senior detective's vitals closely as they sorted out the mess in the abandoned store. "The lack of oxygen to the brain will undoubtedly result in a painful headache."

Blinking a few times Hank looked around and saw the paramedics tending to Aaron, Noreen babysitting George's dead body, and Lucas keeping Gavin calm in a quiet corner of the empty store. "...Do I even want to know what the fuck I missed?"

"Unlikely. I'll explain things during the drive to the hospital."

As expected St. Mercy Hospital was packed full of worried firefighters and officers who learned of Aaron's kidnapping, torture and near death. Aaron's entire station was playing vigil in shifts as they waited for their fire house brother's emergency surgery to finally come to an end. Gavin was pacing about anxiously as he waited for any news on his husband, and was only being kept out of the operating room by Tina herself holding him back and being his rock to lean on. Since Hank had been attacked as well he was keeping tabs on everything from the hospital while Connor, Lucas and Noreen resumed the search for the other escaped convicts.

In between the searches word of Gavin's heroic deed spread throughout the entire city like an urban legend. According to Tina and Ben, who witnessed the entire ordeal in the precinct, when Captain Fowler told him to stand down or he'd take his badge Gavin threw his badge in Captain Fowler's face and told him to "keep it" before rushing out of the bullpen to rescue his husband.

Of course Captain Fowler's threat was hollow, and the commanding officer spun the tale as just stress and an emotional outburst that anyone could relate to. With Gavin's gun now being held and the witness statement from Connor confirming that it was a clean and just shooting, George's bloody reign of terror had finally come to an end.

"We have located the last of the escaped convicts." Connor confirmed as he cybernetically contacted Hank at the hospital. Due to his own close nature to the shooting Connor was being dismissed early, and was allowed to clock-out despite the heavy paperwork needing to be filed. "I'm going to check on Abby and stop by the hospital."

'Do me a favor, bring Gavin's car over to the hospital so he doesn't have to worry about it.' Hank requested as he spoke lowly, his headache was still aching without mercy. 'And make sure his car has the car-seat already hooked up.'

"...The car-seat?"

'Yeah. About ten minutes ago Aaron's phone got a text from their baby's mother. She's in labor and giving birth in the hospital as we speak.'

That was unexpected and rather unnerving to think about. "...How's Gavin handling this type of situation?"

'Not well. Aaron's still in surgery and Tina can only do so much to keep him from breaking into the operating room to check on things himself.'

"I see." Opening the top right drawer of Gavin's desk Connor located the abrasive detective's car keys and headed over to the neighboring parking garage to bring the vehicle to the hospital as he been asked. "Anything else I can do?"

'Just get here with the car and make sure Abby is okay. We're taking care of Gavin and Aaron from our end.'

"Of course. See you soon."

As he ended the call Connor reached the parking garage and honed in on Gavin's black car parked a few spaces away from the Oldsmobile. Popping open the trunk Connor saw a packed bag with baby clothes, diapers and a stuffed bear all for the baby ready to go. Such a sweet sight made Connor's heart ache as he realized how horrible it'd be to never meet his own child before they were born, and how lonely it'd feel to lose your spouse so suddenly and brutally.

Forcing himself to close the trunk Connor unlocked the driver's side door and sat down behind the wheel. As he adjusted the rearview mirror he caught sight of the empty car-seat secured in the backseats and found himself imagining what it'd look like to have a baby sitting in the seat. Specifically his own baby.

"...I'm okay and so is Abby."

Finally driving the car out of the parking garage and to the hospital Connor took in a deep calming breath to keep his thoughts from becoming too dark. It had been a stressful day for everyone, and that type of stress would only bring more problems than solutions.

"Our baby is okay, too. Everyone is going to be all right."

The waiting room of the hospital saw its unofficial shift change as the firefighters waited for an update on Aaron and continued to try to support Gavin as much as possible. While he sat in the waiting room with a cup of coffee and two aspirin to take the edge off his headache, Hank watched as Tina returned to the waiting room to sit down beside him. She was exhausted and in need of her own support after she did her best to keep Gavin from breaking down entirely, or going crazy on the surgeons.

Offering Tina his coffee Hank let out a small sigh and tried to ignore his headache as much as possible. Just as his left wrist had healed enough to let him into the field, Hank found himself dealing with another painful set-back such as a migraine.

"...Before I came back out here," Tina whispered to keep people from getting too tense. "I told Gavin about the baby. He's torn between wanting to go to the maternity wing and waiting for Aaron."

"Well, speaking from experience, babies arrive when they want to. I bet Aaron will be out of surgery and waking up before that baby is even born."

"That'd be nice. It'd make things simpler anyway."

"Why don't you lay down and try to sleep?" Hank could see the exhaustion on her face via dark bags forming under her bright eyes. "You're going to be up all night with Gavin and you won't do anyone any good if you pass out."

"Speaking from experience again?"

"Something like that." Sinking down in his chair Hank rubbed his palm over the back of his aching head and noted the time on his phone. "Connor's bringing Gavin's car over so when the baby's born he doesn't have to worry about getting her home."

"That's one problem solved."

"Hey, it'll be fine. I don't know Aaron very well but if anyone has the strength to live with Gavin, let alone marry the asshole, then he's gotta' be the strongest person to ever walk this Earth."

"Keep reminding us about that. It'd help."

The waiting room suddenly became silent and eerily still as one of the surgeons who had been operating on Aaron arrived and addressed the station's Captain. Removing his mask the surgeon introduced himself and explained how Aaron had survived the surgery, but would be unconscious for quite some time due to the severe blood loss, concussion, seizure and full cardiac arrest before he even arrived at the hospital.

Sensing Tina tensing up beside him Hank put his right hand on her left shoulder and gave her a level voice to listen to. "Hey, he's STILL ALIVE. Remember that."

"Yeah, you're right." Taking a sip of the coffee Tina gave the cup back to Hank and took in a calming breath. "I'm going to find Gavin and make sure he isn't interrogating the surgical team in the hospital's basement or something."

"Good idea." Proud of the way Tina could go from free spirited to entirely professional in the blink of an eye, Hank watched her leave the waiting room to go in search of her worrying partner elsewhere. "Keep us posted."

In the privacy of an exam room inside the Zeta Facility Connor held Abby in his arms as they both breathed deep sighs of relief now that the bizarre day was under control and nearly over. As he held Abby close Connor scanned over their unborn baby and felt his tension melt away as he confirmed they were both still healthy and alive. With a little coaxing Connor was able to convince Abby to go with him to the hospital so they could be together for the rest of the odd day and night, and so they could stop worrying about one another.

Escorting Abby to her car Connor checked over the vehicle and confirmed that everything was still secure. No one had messed with the car and the vehicle was safe for her to drive.

Once they arrived at the hospital to check in on things Connor continued to play personal bodyguard for Abby and didn't let her out off his sight until they were able to visit the recovery room where Aaron was resting. A small crowd had gathered outside the room to watch over Aaron as the firefighter remained unconscious in the bed with Gavin holding onto his broken left hand in a death grip.

Aaron had a cardiac monitor, as well as an E.C.G., monitoring his vital signs as he recovered from the brutal beating he endured, as well as his subsequent lifesaving surgery. The firefighter's hands and arms were secured in supportive casts from fingertip to elbow, and he had I.V. lines running into both of his arms to give him blood, fluids, antibiotics and painkillers. His right shoulder was in a sling, his right knee was in traction, he had heavy gauze bandaging all around his torso and ribs, and had numerous ice packs resting on his face through additional gauze wrapping to help reduce the swelling. Both of Aaron's eyes were blackened shut, his lip was sporting fresh stitches and his jaw was being held shut with a plastimetal brace to keep his broken teeth from getting infected before he could have dental surgery. All of the medical support left Aaron looking truly broken and miserable.

One by one the firefighters reluctantly departed from the hospital as an emergency called them away from their fallen brother, but Gavin wouldn't be budged for anyone save for his daughter being born just a few floors away. Tina was relaying information to Gavin through Aaron's phone since Gavin had destroyed his own phone at the precinct, and made sure Gavin knew when to go to the maternity ward the moment his daughter was born.

Through the observation window Connor could see and hear Gavin talking to Aaron while everyone else was kept in the dark. The way Gavin was telling Aaron that he was still alive, still handsome, about to be a father and a wide assortment of other positive and loving comments, made Connor see the abrasive detective in a new light. It was as if a newfound respect had been discovered after the deviant could in fact see Gavin had a heart after all.

"How is he?" Lucas asked as he joined his big brother and Abby at the observation window. "I heard the operation was a success."

"Yes. Aaron had to have his spleen removed, but they were able to save his kidney and liver, and stabilize his ribs. He lost three pints of blood due to the internal hemorrhaging, but he's stable. He suffered a concussion and will require mild reconstructive surgery on his jaw due to the severity of the damage to his teeth, but the doctors are confident he'll make a full recovery within a few months."

"He's still alive, that's what's important. And how's Gavin doing?"

"According to Tina he is very stressed out and needs his friends by his side."

"That's why I'm here." Entering the private room very quietly Lucas checked on his two friends and put his hand on Gavin's shoulder in a comforting way that Gavin practically leaned his entire weight into.

"This day is a new level of fucked up." Abby whispered as she leaned against Connor's right side. "I'm so glad you weren't hurt."

"As am I. Gavin is a very good shot."

From the far end of the corridor Tina came rushing over and addressed Connor excitedly. "It's almost time!"

Picking up on her excitement Connor's blue L.E.D. flashed to yellow for a moment. "The baby?"

"Yeah, they just told the mother to start pushing!" Opening the door to the recovery room Tina told Gavin the good news and swore to stay by Aaron's side until he came back himself.

Seeing the way Gavin was so torn about leaving his husband behind spoke volumes of how much he truly loved Aaron, and Connor wanted to help him through that pain. Stepping up as Gavin slowly exited the room Connor put his right hand on Gavin's left shoulder and nodded at the elevator down the corridor. "We'll go with you so you can meet your daughter."

Silently Gavin accepted the offer and let Connor and Abby guide his every sluggish footstep down the long corridor to reach the maternity ward a few floors away via elevator. Almost as soon as Gavin stepped out of the elevator and onto the correct floor a nurse pulled Gavin down the new corridor to lead him to the nursery where his daughter had just been taken after she had been born and cleaned up. The entire floor felt lighter in comparison to the recovery rooms down just a few floors below, but even so it wasn't enough to lift Gavin's mood.

"Hey, look." Abby directed Connor to the window overlooking the nursery full of newborns all swaddled up and resting in their tiny plastic bassinets. The large room of babies was truly a strange sight, and yet very welcome. "They're all so tiny..."

Peering through the window as well Connor's blue L.E.D. cycled to yellow again as he stared at each baby, their unique facial features, skin tones, hair color and eye color showcasing the parents that brought them into the world. It was incredible to see so many small and defenseless little babies just waiting to be reunited with their parents shortly after being born.

Pressing her right hand over her belly Abby smirked and leaned against Connor's right side again. "...In six more months our own baby will be here."

"Yeah... It's incredible to think about."

Watching as Gavin was shown into the nursery, his clothing now replaced with sterilized teal scrubs and a paper bandana over his his hair, Connor and Abby couldn't help but feel a little jealous as a tiny newborn girl wrapped up in a white blanket and wearing a pink cap was gently placed in his arms. The way Gavin instinctively adjusted his arms and held the baby to his chest proved that he was ready for fatherhood and already smitten with her.

"I hope Aaron wakes up soon." The way Gavin's eyes filled with a mixture of tears of sorrow and joy tore at Connor's own heart. "He needs the chance to meet his daughter."

No one really wanted to leave the hospital because of the crazy events surrounding Gavin and Aaron, and as such there was a small group of well wishers all sitting and laying together in the chairs of the waiting room. Hank had managed to lean back in his chair enough to actually fall asleep while resting somewhat upright, Abby fell asleep with her head resting on Connor's lap and tucked under his coat as she laid across three chairs on her right side, and Lucas had Tina leaning up against his right side as the officer passed out from exhaustion just after midnight.

The two deviant brothers were still awake and silent communicating with one another through cybernetic links.

'It seems as though Aaron's fire station won't be able to return for another three hours minimum. Four warehouses in the industrial district caught fire due to an electrical disturbance, they are quite busy.'

'Then it's a good thing we're all staying here. Captain Fowler has granted us all special permission to remain here until noon, then we'll have to report to the precinct due to the crucial details revolving around the case.'

'Understandable. I'm glad Gavin was able to stop George before he harmed you or finished off Aaron.' Recounting the previous morning's excitement Lucas realized how close Connor had been to mortal danger. 'That was excellent timing on his part.'

'Yes. I suspect his artificial left hand gave him the stability needed to perform such clean shots while under emotional distress.'

'That's difficult to confirm, but at least he was able to do what was necessary to protect two people.'

'Agreed.' As he spoke Connor's left arm rested over Abby's side and his left palm lightly pressed against the side of her belly through the jacket without waking her up. 'I'm truly grateful that I wasn't injured, and that Aaron survived.'

Smirking at the sight Lucas used his eyes to motion to Tina at his side. 'Are you telling other people about the baby yet?'

'Not quite.' He glanced at Abby's belly for a moment as he spoke. 'I know it won't be possible for Abby to hide her condition anymore, but the details of such a condition can still be kept private a while longer.'

'May I ask why?'

'It sounds illogical, but I feel as if I say anything it'd just be inviting misfortune my way. I've taken steps to let go of my bleak past to have a better future, but I'm still wary of something else happening.'

'Given the current circumstances I find that very understandable.'

The surgeon who had been tending to Aaron the night before, Dr. Lane, graced the room and let the worried group know that Aaron was waking up and that Gavin had asked for them to stop by whenever they were ready. Lucas graciously thanked the kind doctor and gently woke up Tina at his side while Connor woke up Abby.

As the group stirred Hank's eyes opened and he glanced about the area curiously. "What's up?"

"Aaron is waking up." Connor confirmed as he helped Abby to sit upright and kept his jacket wrapped around her. "Gavin has asked us to come and see him."

"Shit, that's the best news I've heard all week."

Standing up together the group slowly made their way to the recovery room to check on their friends after a long wait that drained all of their emotional energy within a matter of seconds. Gathering outside the recovery room door the group watched through the window as Dr. Lane and a nurse checked over Aaron's vitals, and confirmed that the firefighter was indeed well enough to have visitors.

Before anyone could enter the room another nurse arrived with a rolling bassinet and the tiny newborn girl swaddled up inside of it. The little baby was finally going to meet her second father after a too long wait.

Deciding to hang back for a moment the group just watched as Gavin carefully scooped up his daughter and introduced her to Aaron, causing the firefighter's heart rate to shoot through the roof with love and excitement. The sweet and comforting sight was enough to make Tina cry as she watched Gavin sit on the edge of Aaron's bed and hold the baby up against Aaron's chest so they could meet and begin bonding.

Abby leaned up against Connor's right side as he wrapped his right arm around her, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Smirking as well Hank took a step back and pulled his phone from his pocket. "I'm going to find a quiet corner and tell Fowler the good news. Between Aaron getting fucked up and a new baby being added to the family, Gavin's going to need all the back-up he can get. He's taking his paternity leave, NOW, no buts about it."

"Get him, Lieutenant!" Tina cheered as she admired the sight through the window a while longer. "I'll be sure to stop by Gavin and Aaron's house and make sure everything's nice and clean for the baby. But..." She continued to watch the small baby through the window with a bright smile. "I'll wait until after I get to hold her!"

Lucas opened the door to the private room and stood in the doorway before entering. "Can we come in?"

Gavin nodded as he continued to hold the baby against Aaron's chest and give Aaron a kiss on the least swollen part of his right cheek. "Yeah, come and meet the family."

Side by side Connor and Abby entered the room but stood back a little as they didn't want to crowd the little girl, whereas Tina enthusiastically stood beside Gavin to admire her goddaughter.

"I couldn't think of a first name." Gavin admitted as he held his daughter in his arms. "Aaron did, but..." The sight of Aaron's jaw being held shut effectively dampened the moment. "He never got the chance to tell me. Hell, he can't even write it down!"

Aaron managed a weak smile and as his green eyes slowly trailed over toward Connor. Giving the deviant a respectful nod Aaron silently asked for Connor to speak on his behalf.

"I know the name." Stepping forward Connor maintained eye contact with Aaron as he spoke up. "Aaron told me yesterday after I found him."

Looking toward Connor for the answer the entire room waited for Connor to say her name.

"It's Aria. Aria Kimberly Reed-Lockhart."

"Aria..." Gavin repeated as he admired his daughter and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "A beautiful little song, and named after her daddy and her aunt. I love it."

Tina cooed at the name as she snapped a photo of the baby on her phone. "Best name! You couldn't possibly do better!"

"Yeah, the name 'Renee' is overrated anyway..."

"Not to mention 'Renee Reed' sounds like a 'Batman' villain."

Giving Tina a dirty look while Aaron managed a weak chuckle Gavin just shook his head. "Well, how about you tell Aria YOUR middle name and see what people think of that?"

"No, no, no... That particular secret is only known between me and a bottle of tequila." Taking Aria to hold in her arms Tina kept smiling and admired the tiny baby with a loving gaze. "Hello 'little bean'. You and me are going to get into all sorts of trouble together. I can't wait until you're a teenager so I can help you drive your dads up the wall!"

"Tina. No." Gavin looked over at Lucas and gave him a pleading stare. "There's a reason Lucas is the godfather."

Sticking out her tongue playfully at Gavin as she carried Aria over toward Lucas to take, Tina made sure to keep up a positive demeanor. "Speaking of her godfather..." Helping Lucas to position his arms accordingly to support the newborn properly Tina made small soothing noises to ensure Aria felt secured. "Meet Lucas! You need to play 'Pictionary' with him and give him all kinds of 'dirty' suggestions."

Lucas was in awe of the tiny newborn as he had never held a baby before in his life. The way Aria was so small, warm and light made her as beautiful as a fallen feather. Holding her close to his chest Lucas smiled at the baby and spoke softly as to not disturb her. "Hello, Aria. It's my honor to meet you."

Abby discreetly grabbed onto Connor's right hand and gave him a gentle squeeze as she whispered in his ear. "It's like peering into the future. That's how you're going to look in just six more months!"

Whispering back Connor tried to remain as discreet as possible. "I'm looking forward to it."

Gavin took notice of the whispering and addressed Connor smugly. "Want to hold her, 'Tinman'?" Lightly holding onto Aaron's right bicep to give his husband support Gavin called out the deviant in front of everyone. "It'll be good practice."

Arching his brow Connor looked at Gavin somewhat confused. "...Practice?"

"Can't lie to a room full of detectives. I know what's going on." Pointing at Abby for a moment Gavin essentially blew the whistle on Connor's secret. "I know that you're the next one in the bullpen to become a father."

Tina's eyes widened as she looked over at Connor and gave him a suspicious glance. "Father?"

Unable to stop the blue tinted blushing Connor looked down at the floor while Abby squeezed his hand again, and pulled back the jacket to reveal her modest bump for the rest of the room to see. "With any luck the baby will be born during the busiest summer week and ruin all of your vacation plans."

"No... Way!" Tina was truly excited for the next expecting couple. "Connor! Why didn't you tell us sooner?!"

"...It just didn't seem like-"

"If you were going to say 'not a big deal' or 'important' I'm going to hit you with a bed-pan."

Lucas intervened and saved his big brother from further questions. "It wasn't going to be kept a secret for much longer, he just didn't want to take the attention away from Gavin, Aaron and now Aria."

"All right, fair enough." Crossing her arms over her chest Tina continued to flash Connor a playfully antagonistic glare. "You're safe from the bed-pen. For now!"

"Brother?" Lucas nodded at Aria as he approached Connor very slowly. "...Do you wish to hold her?"

"I... I think so." Accepting the offer Connor let Lucas place Aria in his arms and promptly felt a warmth spread over his chest. Something about holding Aria gave Connor a sudden optimism for the future waiting for him to experience it. "...Hello. My name is Connor."

Abby grinned and let Aria hold her finger in a surprisingly strong grip for a moment. "See? I knew you'd be able to handle this."

"...I think you're right. I can do this." As Aria let out a small yawn Connor tilted his head a little and noticed that the little baby had dark blue eyes with traces of green throughout her irises. She had no biological connection to either of her fathers, and yet Connor knew there would be no mistaking to whom her real family was based on all the love she was receiving so quickly. "...I am truly ready to be a father."

"In six more months." Abby reminded him in a playful manner as she rubbed her belly. "I'm not dropping this kid any time soon. Especially in this cold weather."

"I imagine the next few months are going to pass by quicker than we expect." Feeling Hank's eyes staring at him through the observation window Connor slowly crossed the room to give Aria back to Gavin so she could continue to bond with her dads. Seeing Hank's enthusiasm only solidified Connor's determination to be a good father. "...Time is a fickle thing."

-next chapter-