Norman slammed the door shut as a series of holes punched through the door. He pulled Ashley to the side as the air whipped by him. Paco was yelling and the women screamed at one end of the room.

There was no time to talk. Norman swung his arm against the wall, flicking the lightswitch and plunging the room into darkness punctured only by the swirling blue lights of the aquarium. Panic darted through him as he yanked Ashley towards the couches. There was nowhere to go. They were trapped.

The door burst open just as Norman rolled behind the couch, Ashley tumbling with him. The room erupted in gunfire. Norman pressed his back against the couch as Ashley curled into him, her legs scrambling in an attempt to pull herself into a tight ball. Instinctively, Norman wrapped his arms around her as he heard Paco holler over the gunshots. Then Paco's voice went quiet, and there was only the screaming of the two women. Norman's terror threatened to overwhelm him as the women shrieked in unison. There was a pop, and then there was only one woman screaming in between her sobs. Another pop, and the room fell silent.

Ashley was shaking so hard that Norman thought she would tremble right out of his grip. He straightened as footsteps made their way across the room. Glass tinkled, and something rolled across the floor. Then there was a slight knocking of wood. Norman closed his eyes. The killer was looking for them.

Norman pushed Ashley up so that she was sitting straighter, and he put his hand against her face to be sure she was looking at him. He gazed at her with intense focus, willing her to understand what they had to do. Her brown eyes were barely visible in the darkness, but he felt her nod. She was no doubt completely terrified, but he needed her to be focused. For once, she had to be in control of the situation.

The footsteps drew closer. Norman pulled his legs up so he was in somewhat of a crouched position, and stared at the wavy blue shadows next to him. Every muscle in his body was shaking, and it took everything in him to keep still. He had to be ready. For what, he wasn't sure. But whatever happened, he would at least give Ashley a fighting chance.

He glared into the darkness, each second filling him with more fight instinct. He hadn't survived Mad Jack and Paco Mendez to be shot like a helpless victim. The adrenaline built up in him like a spring. There was a crunching next to him, and Norman's body went numb as the shadow of a man drifted over the couch.

Norman shot upwards, barreling into the man and stumbling with him into the desk. There was a pop, but Norman had a hold of the man's arm. He put all his weight into the man's arm so that it almost bent backwards over the desk, and the man jerked as the gun clattered to the floor.

A surge of energy powered Norman into a frantic series of punches. The killer was unarmed. They were on equal ground now.

The man swung his arms and Norman's blows went sideways. A sharp pain erupted in the back of Norman's neck as the man swung his fist into him, and Norman fell forward against the desk. He twisted quickly, and was shocked when the man backed away from him, flinging his arms behind him. It took a moment for Norman to realize Ashley had jumped on the man's back and had her arm around his throat.

The man groaned as he catapulted himself backwards, and Norman launched himself after him. They had him pinned. If they could just subdue him…
He heard Ashley yelp as the man slammed against the wall, knocking items off the shelves. Ashley dropped to the floor, and Norman felt fire burn through him as the killer turned toward her. He couldn't let him touch Ashley. No matter what, the killer had to stay focused on him.

Norman crashed into the man, crumpling against the wall. Before he could recover, Norman felt clenched fists on his shoulders, and he was suddenly flying towards the desk. Norman stumbled against it, panic racking his body. He rolled onto his back and kicked out, feeling his foot connect with the man's torso. The man staggered backwards, and then jerked to the side as a chair knocked into him.

Norman rushed forward as Ashley dropped the chair. She raised a hand to him, and then they both cried out as the killer tumbled into both of them. The man was ungodly strong. A surge of frustration bolted through Norman as he fell to the floor. He heard a crash, and then Ashley fell on the floor next to him.

Something clanged next to him, sending up sparks in the darkness. Without thinking, Norman rolled to the side as there was another chop. Norman scrambled backwards onto his feet, a sharp swishing noise following close in front of him. He felt his gut wrench as he made sense of the figure chasing him. The man had grabbed one of the swords that had fallen from the wall.

Norman frantically grabbed for anything. A guitar clanged to the ground in between them, and Norman flung a lamp towards him. The killer barreled forward, deflecting the lamp easily. Norman darted for the desk, throwing his shoulders back as the sword arched through the air in front of him. He was losing space quickly. There was no way he could fight against a sword.

He fell back against the desk and twisted his body as the sword swung down. It clunked into the wood beside him. Norman straightened, but the sword was already swinging at him again. He flattened himself against the desk, a flash of metal flying above his eyes. Desperation tore at him. He was trapped. Any second, the sword would make contact.

The killer swung the sword down, and Norman rolled off the desk onto the ground, staring up at the figure above him. The man stepped towards him, raising the sword.

A loud pop shook the room. Followed by two more gunshots. Bits of wood exploded off the desk as the bullets hit. Norman froze, and realized the killer had stopped in his tracks. Against the blue of the fishtank, Ashley's form was poised, pistol held in both hands in front of her.

For a while, there was only heavy breathing. Norman gazed at the killer. It took him a second to realize that Ashley had shot the desk to get the killer's attention, and it had worked. There was no fight now. They had him.

"Drop the… the…" Ashley's voice shook as she spoke. "...the samurai sword. And put your hands on your head."

The killer didn't move. Norman swallowed, his heart hammering in his chest. If the killer knew what was good for him, he would surrender. He had to, or Ashley would have to shoot him. And after everything they'd been through in the past two days, Norman would be damned if he'd let that happen.

The killer slowly lowered his arms and stepped away from him as Norman raised himself slightly onto his elbows. This was it. They finally had him.

There was a swish as the figure spun in front of him, and there was the clang of metal against metal. Ashley disappeared, and then Norman heard her scream in pain.

Norman launched himself upward against the desk as they came back into view. Time seemed to stop as he saw the killer back away. Ashley had her back against the wall, the sword buried to the hilt in her abdomen.

Norman bolted forward, all sense leaving him. This couldn't be real. Not now. Not like this.

The killer moved to the doorway as Norman reached Ashley. She gripped the handle in both hands, and Norman put his hand on her shoulder, unable to even think of where to begin. She'd been nailed to the wall.

"Get him," she stammered. There was a metallic flick, and Norman had just enough time to see the man toss a small flame onto the ground before the man disappeared through the door, slamming it behind him.

Norman's mind racked with panic, confusion, and a host of other emotions he didn't have time to think about. Ashley groaned as she pulled at the sword, her form suddenly growing clearer in the yellow light of the flames. Norman gave his head a shake, forcing the panic out of his system. He had to think. Ashley was impaled, the room was on fire, and the killer was getting away. How the hell was he supposed to think?

Norman pressed his hand under her jaw, cupping her head up to him as he gazed into her eyes. "I need you to bear with me, okay?" he said.

Ashley shook her head, her brown eyes growing glassy. "Just get out of here."

Norman put one hand on her shoulder and gripped the hilt of the sword in the other. Ashley braced against it, her chest heaving. He struggled to control the pounding of his heart. "Are you ready?"

Ashley glared at him through her painful expression. "No."

Norman tilted his head. There wasn't much of an option. With a deep breath, he pulled hard. The sword slid easier than he expected, and fell with a clatter onto the floor.

Ashley fell into him, and Norman immediately caught her as she curled forward onto herself. The hard part was over. Now they just had to escape. He lifted her arm over his shoulder and pulled her to the doorway, grasping the doorknob firmly.

It was locked. Norman scrambled to find the lock, and felt only the scrapes of a keyhole. He kicked at the door in despair. The door had a two-way lock.

Norman spun, struggling to support Ashley as she clutched onto him. He wasn't giving up yet. A metallic glint caught his attention, and he kneeled carefully, grasping the killer's pistol in his hand. Without hesitation, he raised the pistol to the doorknob and fired.

The metal warped, and Norman kicked at the door again, bashing it open.

Smoke drifted around them as they staggered down the corridor. Ashley's weight was growing heavier, and Norman's sight was nearly blinded by adrenaline. He had to get her far enough away from the fire to set her down.

They turned a corner, and Norman spotted a dark window and a glass door up ahead. It was as good a place as any. He pulled Ashley closer into him, and kicked open the door, dragging her out onto a spacious concrete balcony bordered by a walls of rain.

Norman backed up against the wall, and slowly lowered Ashley into a sitting position. She drew her legs up, pressing her arms into her lower abdomen. Residual energy forced Norman to stay focused. He slipped the pistol into his jacket and dug into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He barely needed to look at the numbers to dial the police station. "This is Agent Norman Jayden. I need an emergency air evacuation and the fire department at Club Synn in downtown Philadelphia. I've got an officer down."

"I didn't shoot him…" Ashley's voice was barely above a whisper. "Why the hell didn't I just shoot him…" She rolled sideways as Norman put the phone away. He gripped her shoulder, forcing her to sit upright. She was going into shock.

"Ashley, I need you to stay focused." He kneeled in front of her, struggling to see through the darkness at her wound. A jagged red cut bled just above the level of her jeans. He felt an almost synthetic relief. "It's low. It's not as bad as it seems."

"Norman." Ashley tilted her head towards him, her eyebrows narrowed. "I've just been stabbed. With a sword." She clenched her eyes shut and her head dropped back against the wall.

"Hey," said Norman, his heart beginning to pound again. "Hey. I need you to stay with me. Stay awake." He put a hand against her cheek to keep her head up as she blinked. "Talk to me. Just talk about anything."

A small smile played at her mouth. "You talk to me. Tell me a something crazy." Her eyes seemed to fall in and out of focus as she gazed at him.

Norman sat back slightly, a shallow warmth filling him despite the panic. "Me tell you something crazy?" He shook his head. "You know I almost got melted in a vat of acid today?"

Ashley closed her eyes as she smiled, her expression turning again to pain as her eyebrows narrowed. "Oh my god…" She shook as she laughed lightly. "You almost got melted…"

Norman held onto her arm to steady her. Though it was killing him to be so helpless, watching as blood slowly spread across her clothes, he couldn't help but feel a need to stay in this moment. This was more important than their conversation in the car, their resolution at the burned apartment, or their talks at the station. He realized he knew hardly anything about her despite their ordeal together. And she knew almost nothing about him. It wasn't right. He didn't want to lose her like this.

She sighed heavily as her muscles relaxed, and Norman felt a dash of terror as he shook her again. "Ashley… Ashley don't you pass out on me."

She straightened, lifting her head towards him again. "I'm okay, I'm just… tired."

"You're not tired, you're body is going into shock," said Norman. "Keep talking to me."

"The fish." Ashley swayed as she looked at him. "The fish are going to die, aren't they?"

Norman stared at her. He could hardly believe it. Even in the midst of a fire, four murders, and nearly getting chopped in half, Ashley never missed the opportunity for an awkward silence.

He ran a hand over his face, the confusion clashing with his anxiety in a way that he thought would make his head explode. "What fish?"

She shifted against the wall. "The fish in the aquarium. I mean, can fish burn if they're in a fishtank?"

Again, Norman had no idea if it was the shock altering Ashley's mental state, or if it was just plain her speaking. He shook his head, unable to stop his smile. "Are you fan of sushi?"

Ashley's eyes widened. "Oh god…" She hunched forward and muttered something.

Norman leaned towards her, the motion igniting his nerves. "What? What is it?"

She raised her head slightly, her eyebrows narrowed. "I said fuck you, Norman." She paused, her head rocking sideways so that her hair fell across her face. Norman recognized the weariness in her eyes and he shook her again.

"Stay awake," he said. "You stay with me."

She gazed at him, her dark hair falling sideways as she leaned. "Slap me or something. Or… tell me you're actually a woman or you have five grandfathers. Just… give me a reason to live." Her head fell back against the wall as she stared up at the stormy sky and swallowed.

Norman laughed despite himself. He squeezed her shoulder as he looked at her, a deep twinge rising in his chest. She really was something odd. Something he could never be able to explain to anyone. Here she was, bleeding out on the concrete and still able to completely throw him off guard. He was hardly aware of the fact that he was slowly losing her.

The twinge in his chest grew stronger, and he felt his smile disappear as a strange anxiety overtook him. He'd changed so much in the two days he'd been here. Not entirely of his choice, and usually at the cost of everything he valued most in his life. The battles with Blake and his growing friendship with Ashley… it was something he never would have predicted when he left Washington. And in all honesty, he wanted everything to keep changing. Everything except this.

Norman reached forward, sliding his hand against Ashley's neck so that his thumb ran along her cheek. She looked back at him, her brown eyes slightly widened at his touch. This time he didn't hide it as he gazed at her face, now framed by waves of brown hair that fell across her narrow brows and grazed her shoulders. Her round, clueless eyes were completely locked on his, a subtle look of surprise playing in them as she seemed to come to a realization. Norman wasn't losing her now. Not after how much she'd changed him.

He leaned into her, pulling her slightly forward. He could almost hear the pounding of her heart as she tilted her head up to him, and he was nervously aware of how unavoidably close he was to her now. Her eyes fell closed as his nose grazed hers, and he felt her mouth open as her breath warmed his lips.

He pulled back suddenly, the closeness severed. As he settled back again, her eyes opened and she straightened. Confusion seemed to be battling with dissapointed shock in her eyes as she gazed at him, her mouth still open as if dumbstruck. Norman struggled to slow his own beating heart as he waited. She made a noise, then her face softened in understanding. The corner of her mouth rose, and she leaned forward as she laughed.

"You… you son of a bitch," she gasped.

Norman couldn't help the laughter that shook him. Part of him felt betrayed as he laughed with her, but it was a small price to pay to keep her completely awake. She yelped as she held onto her abdomen, and her laughter broke slightly, though a painful smile still played on her mouth.

The chopping of a helicopter arrived almost on cue in the distance, its white lights panning back and forth through the sky. Norman gazed up at it through the haze of rain. The relief that filled him was dampened by the disappointment of losing this moment. He mentally kicked himself for even having that reaction. They had to get out of there before the building burned down.

Norman threw a glance at Ashley to be sure she was still alert, then stood up, stepping out into the rain and waving his hands. He was instantly soaked, and his breath fogged in front of him. The spotlight panned back and forth, then finally settled on the balcony, practically blinding him. As Norman stepped back, the sounds of the chopper blades roared above him, and there was a scramble against the light.

He darted back to Ashley who was pushing herself up into a better sitting posture. She raised a hand to him as he approached, and he took it against his chest as he kneeled next to her. The strange twinge fluttered through his chest again as he felt her smooth her thumb over his knuckles, and she looked up at him with a weak but sincere smile.

Footsteps clattered on the concrete, and voices rose above the splashing of the rain.

"You the one who called for an air evac?" A paramedic rushed to them as two others hooked up a medical airlift stretcher. "Are you both injured?"

Norman moved back as the paramedic crouched next to them. "Just her," Norman called. "She was stabbed by a sword through the stomach." He held Ashley's hand while the paramedic examined her abdomen, and Ashley clenched her teeth as she straightened.

"Okay." The paramedic shifted onto his knees and looked up at Norman. "We can move her. Carefully."

There was a scrape as the other paramedics pulled the stretcher toward them. Norman gripped Ashley's arm as she raised herself up onto the stretcher, her legs bent in tension. As they fitted the straps over her, Norman found himself clutching her hand in both of his. Despite the urgency of the situation and the clear danger, he couldn't let her go.

"Is the perpetrator still in the area?" The paramedic snapped the buckles closed as he looked at Norman.

Norman shook his head. "No, but there's a fire in the building." He watched Ashley's face as she rested back against the stretcher, her throat working as she swallowed.

He felt a tug on his arm, and realized one of the paramedics was pulling him aside. "We got her now. You can let go."

A flush of frustration shot through him, but Norman forced himself to release his grip on her hand. The paramedic moved forward, finishing the straps and made a motion upwards. As Norman gazed at Ashley's face, the ropes snapped tight, and the stretcher lifted into the air towards the bright light of the helicopter. Norman held his hand up against the light as he watched the rectangular silhouette grow smaller and smaller, until the white light overtook it completely.

His built-up anxiety seemed to come back again with a vengeance. Norman ran a hand through his hair and turned towards the nearest paramedic. "How bad is she?" he said, knowing well that the question was pointless.

The paramedic shrugged as he reached up to grab a lowering rope. "I can't say right now. We're not going to know the full extent of the damage until─" The paramedic suddenly twisted, raising a hand to his ear. "What?"

Norman watched in nervous interest as the paramedic stood frozen. There was snapping as the other paramedics strapped themselves into harnesses.

"Is he─ are you serious? We have a medical emergency here!" The paramedic looked over the balcony, and Norman followed his gaze, spotting a line of red and blue flashing lights down below. "Alright, but this is bullshit," said the paramedic. Norman looked at the paramedic as he straightened. "We've got orders to airlift you to the ground. We're going to get you into a harness."

Norman felt the blood leave his face. "To the ground? But─" He looked around him as the paramedics fitted a harness around his arms and legs. "No. No, I'm not leaving my partner."

"I'm sorry, it's a direct order." The paramedic snapped a line to Norman's harness. "From the police department." The line clicked as the paramedic attached himself to the same line. He gripped Norman's shoulder. "Hang onto the line with both hands. We're going down."

Norman's feet left the ground as he was pulled upwards. His senses left him as he looked around him. This was wrong. He needed to be with Ashley. He couldn't just abandon her. Why would the evac team go directly against emergency protocol? The police department. It was bullshit. Since when did the police department have the authority to─

A burning disbelief filled him. He clenched the rope as the windows of the building sailed past him. Who else had the authority over almost everything in this city? The red and blue lights came into focus as the ground rose beneath him, and Norman stared at the crowd of policemen. He didn't have time for this. Whatever was waiting for him down below wasn't going to be good at all.

His feet hit the pavement, and the paramedic worked to unstrap him from the harness. Norman gazed up at the light of the helicopter, now merely a bright white dot against the torrent of rainfall.

"Well, look who just can't seem to keep his nose out of trouble."

Norman's blood ran cold. He closed his eyes and turned, opening them to face the last person he wanted to see.

Blake's usual smug smile tweaked his dark beard sideways as he stepped towards Norman, folding his arms across his chest. "So, did you find the Origami Killer, Norman?"

It took everything in Norman to keep from punching him on the spot. "What do you want, Blake?"

Blake tilted his head. "I just want to keep this city safe. Looks like you're still trying to do everything you can to set it on fire." Blake looked up at the building, his eyes flashing in the light of the helicopter. "So I hear you nearly got a cop killed, and judging by the fire, I'm guessing there's gonna be a few more dead bystanders?"

Norman breathed heavily. This was a waste of time. Blake had ordered him from the evac to simply gloat in front of him? He wasn't going to take it. Norman moved past him, his eyes nearly red from rage.

A hand clenched his arm. "Where do you think you're going?" Blake's voice suddenly turned serious. "I'm talking to you."

"I don't have anything to say to you," said Norman. The nervous energy in his muscles urged him to keep moving, but Blake's grip held him firmly in place.

"But I haven't talked to you in hours." The fake concern in Blake's voice nearly sent Norman into a furious frenzy. He balled his fists as Blake squeezed Norman's arm. "I was worried you might have driven your car off a bridge, what with losing your job and all."

Norman felt something snap in his brain. "I'm beyond done with your shit, Blake!" Norman yelled. "I really don't care anymore. You want to hear that you're right, I'm wrong, you're the better cop and I'm the loser? Fine! Soak it in!" He yanked his arm away. "Philadelphia would be nothing without a cop like you, Blake. In fact, you're what's singlehandedly holding this whole city together. Feel free to beat the shit out of anyone you want, because you own this town, don't you?" White hot fury fizzled through Norman's body as he glared at Blake.

Blake was silent for a moment. Then the smug look returned. "Well, that's a surprise. You gonna suck my dick too?" Norman shook as Blake stepped toward him. "Anyways, I got a party to head back to. So why don't we just make this quick." There was a clink of metal as Blake pulled out a pair of handcuffs. "Put your hands behind your back."

Norman's rage was cut by his shock. He stepped backward, staring at the glinting cuffs. "What are you doing?"

"What's it look like I'm doing, moron?" Blake twirled the handcuffs. "You're under arrest."

A breath of disbelief escaped Norman's lungs. "For what?"

"Well, causing a fire for one." Blake glanced up at the building. "Being the last witness to an apparent suicide yesterday, pushing a man into a tub of acid, oh." Blake snapped his fingers. "And I'd also like to ask you a few questions on how the criminal of the century was able to just vanish from the station."

Norman shook his head as he took another step back. "Are you fucking insane?"

"I'd ask you the same thing," said Blake. He tsked. "But frankly… I'm just fucking pissed off." He stretched the handcuffs between his hands. "Now are you gonna come quiet, or do you want to make my day?"

Norman looked around at the surrounding policemen. There had to be something he could do. This was illegal. It was pointless. There were so many things he had to do. So many places he had to be. He didn't have time for this.

A few officers stepped towards him, and Norman felt helpless reality sink in. He threw Blake one last glare, then slowly turned on the spot, raising his hands behind his head. Footsteps approached, and his hands were yanked down behind his back. There was a snap, and Norman felt the familiar metallic sting of the handcuffs around his wrists.

"That's too bad," Blake's voice growled in his ear. "I was kinda hoping for another opportunity to pound your face in."