Title: Buried

author: Cindy Ryan

Hours later barely awake Lucy lay curled against Tim with her head on his naked chest. She sleepily admitted to herself that it made an excellent pillow. Tim's fingers lazily brushed against her left shoulder; she found the motion soothing. The last few days had been crazy to say the least. Her world was upside down, but tonight had been an aloe and Lucy knew she was on the way to turning things rightside up. Things would never be the same, but she decided that could be a good thing. Snug, happy and content in Tim's arms Lucy fell asleep.

Tim heard Lucy's breathing even out and knew she was asleep. He placed a feather light kiss on her forehead and then rested his own back on the pillow. He shut his eyes but Tim knew sleep wouldn't be coming; not for a while if ever. Memories of finding Lucy and Jackson in that dark storeroom kept sleep at bay. The men who did that had to have known they were cops and they hadn't hesitated to leave them there to die. A shudder ran through Tim and he turned on his left side pulling Lucy closer.

The plan tomorrow left Lucy and Jackson out of it. Neither of the rookies had been happy with that but Tim had fought for that and won. There was no reason for them to be in the line of fire. If whoever Reynolds was meeting with recognized the sting and figured out where the police were Tim didn't want Lucy anywhere near. He'd come close to loosing her too many times already. He was on body guard duty after all. Keeping her safe was his top priority. The days ahead Tim knew would be a test of their fragile new personal relationship and he hoped it would weather the storm.

John Nolan sat in the surveillance van his gaze rooted to the many computer screens in front of him. The cameras tracked Marcus Reynolds every step. Reynolds was a bald thin man in his early thirties with black sleeve tattoos up both arms. Nolan had been surprised when Reynolds had agreed to be in on a sting. With two of his best friends's lives in the balance Nolan was grateful the man had been cooperative. This was their best chance of finding who was ordering the attacks.

The meet was taking place at an outdoor coffee bar near one of LA's popular beaches. In the van were Percy West and Wade Grey. Another van a block over held a handful of uniformed officers from other stations. Nolan adjusted the headset and turned up the volume as the time for the sting approached. There was a knot in his stomach that Nolan wasn't sure if it was completely from nerves or if it was instinct warning him. As if echoing John's thoughts Reynolds broke the radio silence.

"This don't feel right."The con stated anxiously. "He's late."

"Only by a few minutes."Grey responded grimly. "Keep to the plan."

Reynolds stood by the left side of the coffee bar under the turquoise overhang. There was a crowd of about thirty waiting in line and at other small tables enjoying their drinks and the view.

"I'm starting to agree with Reynolds."Nolan muttered darkly.

"We've got good intel on this; they'll show."Jackson's father responded tensely.

A few minutes later Reynolds's angry voice crackled over the com.

"What kept you?"Reynolds demanded. "Think I got all day to wait here?"

"Easy."Grey cautioned.

"Boss thought you were captured."An older Asian male voice replied darkly.

"He's mistaken."Reynolds replied coldly. "I'm riskin' my neck for his grand plan. I need more cash."

"I'll pass the request along."The other acknowledged.

The other man was keeping out of sight using the overhang and the side of the building to stay in the shadows. Nolan would bet money that that last comment had a smirk attached to it.

"No, he wants those cops taken out; it'll cost him."Reynolds argued sharply.

"Boss isn't one to negotiate."The contact said angrily."You know that."

"Move."Grey ordered the other van. "Move in, now."

Nolan started towards the van's door also but the noise he heard next over the headset caused him to freeze. One sharp retort of a gunshot.

"Damn!"West cursed as everyone threw down the headphones and exited the van.

As John followed West and Grey everyone at a dead run they heard screams from civilians. Grey was demanding updates over the radio. The cold knot in John's gut tightened as they ran. He knew what they'd find and it made fear race up his spine. Not for himself but for Jackson and Lucy.

When Grey and West ran around the back left corner of the coffee bar they stopped by a sprawled male figure lying in a pool of blood. It was an Asian man in his early forties with a scar along his left cheek. Marcus Reynolds was no where to be found. John skidded to a stop as West called for an ambulance and Grey sent angry orders over the com.

"Reynolds is in the wind, find him!"Grey snapped. "Repeat Marcus Reynolds has escaped custody and is at large!"

John holstered his weapon and knelt by the wounded man. The man was struggling to breath and remain conscious. A large blood stain was forming over the chest area of his gray t-shirt.

"Help's on the way."John said soothingly. "Medics are coming."

"Bastard shot me."The man replied angrily.

"Who sent you?"John inquired knowing it was a long shot.

The man coughed and cringed in pain. Jackson's father knelt on the other side of the Asian man.

"We can cut you a deal."West said quietly. "Who sent you? Who do you work for?"

Just as the sirens grew closer Nolan heard the man say one word. A name. They may have lost Reynolds but they weren't out of this yet.

"Booker."