Lee sat on the front steps of his home waiting for the Thornton's to return from their camping trip. He wasn't looking forward to this. He had a feeling Beth might lose it over knowing someone broke into their home. It wasn't like they even gathered any intel to break up the case.

The car pulled into the drive. Lee stood and walked over.

"Hey Lee!" Hunter waved as he jumped out of the back seat. "Did you have a good time on your honeydew?"

Jack stepped out of the car, Elizabeth right behind him. "It's called a honeymoon, bud."

"Oh, whatever. How was it?"

"Great, little man. How was camping?"

"Awesome!" Hunter fist bumped. "We ate hotdogs and marshmallows and went fishing and counted stars! Can we go again, Dad?"

Jack messed with his son's hair. "Sometime, Hunt. You can bet on it." Jack looked up and could see something was on Lee's mind. "Hey bud can you take Bruce inside? Mom and I will be in in a minute."

"K. Bye, Lee!"

"Bye, kiddo."

Elizabeth let Bruce out of the back and walked over to where the men were standing. "Lee, is something wrong?"

He looked back to make sure Hunter was out of earshot. "A couple nights ago your house was broken into."

She gasped. "Toliver?"

"We can't tie it to him yet, but we will. I caught the guy but he isn't talking. "

"Make him talk!" Elizabeth raised her voice. "Give me 5 minutes with him!"

"Beth, no. You can't interrogate the guy." Lee grabbed her arms, holding her still. "Trust me, we will handle this."

"I'm done, Lee. I'm done with this man terrorizing my family. Hunter knows who Nate is to him now. You should have seen the look on his face. I need my little boy to know he is safe."

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist. "She's right, Lee. Enough is enough."

"I know." Lee sighed. "Let's meet with chief Gowan tomorrow and come up with a new plan."

…..

Later that night Nate waited on a park bench. His dark baseball cap, jeans and leather jacket made him fade into the dark.

"Kung Pao Chicken?" A voice asked.

"Well hello there," Nate smirked at Murphy. "Did you bring it?"

"Of course I did. I've got everything you need right here." Murphy held out the to go bag from Chef Lous. Insdie was a hardcover book. Nate opened the book and looked at the inside. Finding a bunch of loose papers inside. "New identities for you and the boy. Once you've got him, you can take the truck and get back to New York City. Here's the key to the apartment Sheila setup. You should be set there."

"Thanks. I owe you. You ready to run the organization here for a bit?"

"Yeah. And you'll oversee things from New York."

"Just like before," Nate sighed.

"Not completely. You're in charge of both rings now. I'm just your right hand man."

"No one better for the job," Nate grinned. "Well, we should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."

"Yup. Tomorrow you get your boy." Murphy slapped him on the back. "How are you going to get him to stay with you though? He seems… happy with those people."

"You know that mom of his is the one that arrested Jamie right? I'll just tell him it was all a ploy. Jamie wasn't really as bad as they think but that woman arrested her just to take him away from us."

"Evil, man, but good. See you tomorrow."

…..

Nate woke up the next morning and went to visit Jamie. Having learned the guard's schedules, it was easy to get in and not be recognized. The disguise he wore didn't hurt either.

"Well if it isn't my old friend Marcus." She leaned in. "What on earth are you wearing on your head?"

"Like it? I always thought I'd look good with blonde hair."

"Not really, no. So what's going on?"

"I wanted to let you know I won't be here again for a while."

"What! That wasn't the deal!"

"Hold on now. I have a plan. I'm getting him back."

"Him who? Hunter? You're getting our boy back?"

"Tonight. I'll do what I can to reach you after a while but for now this is it."

"As long as our son is with you, I can be at peace."

"Well alright then," he smiled. "Guard? I'm ready to go."

….

Just before 4 o'clock, while most people were still at work, Toliver sneaked into the house across the street from the Thornton's home. The family that lived there was away on vacation, making it the perfect lookout.

Around 5 o'clock, Jack and Hunter pulled into their drive. Coming home from an afternoon hockey practice. Jack lifted the large hockey duffle from the back of the hatchback and slung it over his shoulder.

"Hunt, go let Bruce out in the backyard, okay?"

"Got it, Dad." They both disappeared into the house.

Over the next hour, Nate watched from his perch as Elizabeth came home, followed shortly by a fancy black Escalade with a couple in their mid to late 60's.

He kept a lookout over the house. Nothing out of the ordinary. Looked like a typical family dinner. He heard the back door open.

"Come on, Bruce!" Hunter called out as he ran around kicking a blue and white soccer ball around, the dog happily chasing him about.

He couldn't explain what it was that made him want Hunter with him so badly. Maybe it was just because Hunter was his blood, or maybe it was vengeance against Elizabeth for Jamie's incarceration. Whatever the force was, it was strong.

Another person walked outside joining Hunter. It was the man from before. He was tall, grey haired, wearing what looked like expensive clothing.

"Time for dinner!" A female voice called from inside the house five minutes later.

Nate watched as Hunter walked out of sight.

"Soon, son. Soon."

…..

Over the next few hours, Nate continually watched over the house. At about 9 he watched as Jack carried a very sleepy Hunter up to his room and tucked him in. His job became harder then as Elizabeth went around the house closing the curtains and blinds for the night. All Nate could see was a few figures walking about here and there after that.

By 11 o'clock, the Thornton's home was dimly lit by only a lamp in the living room. Nate observed 2 shadowy figures sitting curled up on the couch. The glow from the two lamps shining through the curtain clad window.

"Would you go to sleep already?" He groaned, anxious to get in and get his son. As if hearing him, the TV switched off and they headed up the stairs.

Nate grabbed his phone to call Murphy. "Hey. They're calling it a night. If the house stays quiet for an hour or so we should be good."

"Great. I'm making my way there now. I'll be parked out back. Grab the kid and meet me there."

"Perfect."

With no movement detected, Nate made sure his gun was loaded and tucked it in the waist of his jeans under his jacket. He left the neighbor's house and walked across the street. It was just after 1 AM now and the quiet residential street was completely still, perfect for what he needed to do.

He carefully stepped up to the house. He'd noticed a loose window there before and ever so slightly shimmed it up bit by bit. He was about half way done when the dog began to bark. Quickly entering the home, he rushed over to the dog and dropped a few pieces of meat in the cage.

"There you go. Now shut it." Nate growled at the dog, throwing in a few more pieces of food for good measure.

Pulling out his gun he headed for the stairs. Much to his dismay the stairs, like most homes, had an annoying creek to them. He took big steps in order to make as little noise as possible.

Hunter's room was the first on the right, with Jack and Elizabeth's at the end of the all. All he needed to do was get in and out fast without waking anyone. His confidence was overflowing as he entered the boy's room with its glow in the dark yellow streaks and lofted bed. With Hunter still asleep, he grabbed a few belongings and placed them in the backpack he carried.

"Hey, Hunt," Nate whispered. Just as he reached for the boy he heard a click. Spinning around he saw two figures in the dark by the door. Before he could think, he pulled his gun and began shooting.

The night before…

Hunter was asleep down the hall in his room. The white noise from his ceiling fan muted the sounds of his parents conversation from down the hall.

Elizabeth and Lee had gone to Gowan, as planned, to come up with a plan to catch Toliver. A tip brought in by one of the guards at the prison had turned the tables. Giving them the perfect in to catch him. They knew enough of his plan that they could finally act.

Now Jack and Elizabeth walked around their room as they prepared for bed. Tensions and tempers flaring. The conversation that started before dinner had been put on hold while Hunter was awake. Once he was sound asleep, they picked up right where they left off.

"Jack, why are we still talking about this?" She forcefully tossed her toothbrush in the holder before walking back out into their room. "Can't you just accept that this is what is best?"

Jack pulled his shirt off over his head and flung it across the room. "No! You honestly expect me to leave you here alone?"

"I'm not going to be alone. Lee will be with me."

"No!"

"Jack, he's my partner."

"And I'm your husband!"

"Exactly!" Jack turned to face her again. "If something goes wrong tomorrow, Hunter needs one of his parents to be safe."

Jack hated this more than he could say. "And why can't that be you?"

"Because I'm the cop, that's why!" she said forcefully. Taking a deep breath she started again, hoping her words would come out calmer. "Jack, I love you. So much. But you need to let me do my job."

Jack sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. "Why do you have to be here at all? This isn't even supposed to be your case."

"If Toliver is going to try and take our son from us, he will need to see at least one of us. He can't know he's being played."

Jack let out a frustrated breath as he roughly ran his hands over his face. "Do you have any idea what you're asking of me right now? You're asking me to leave and not protect my wife, the woman I love with everything inside me. After everything we've both lost, did you really expect me to do this without a fight?"

"No." She knelt down in front of him, holding his arms as he kissed her forehead. "I never expected this to be easy. Honestly this is exactly how I thought it would go. But, Jack, you need to understand why I'm making this call. I love you so much. Our son needs you to keep him safe. For you to be safe so that no matter…" she took a breath. "So that no matter what he will be okay."

Tears fell from both their eyes as they rested their foreheads against each other. After a few minutes of silence, Jack answered her. "Okay." His voice barely over a whisper. "Just come back to us, Beth. Please."

"I will."

…..

The next day on the way home from hockey practice, Hunter sat in the back of the car, his legs swinging back and forth.

"You alright, bud?" Hunter silently nodded. "You're awful quiet today."

"Something's different."

"What do you mean?"

"You and Mom seemed weird this morning."

"I'm sorry." He wanted to tell Hunter everything was going to be okay. How could he though? Anything could happen tonight. He said a silent prayer for the umpteenth time that tomorrow would bring a new day. One where they could all feel a little safer. One where they would all be together.

They pulled in and parked far up in the drive to allow room for an extra car.

"Hey Hunt, did I tell you who's coming for dinner tonight?"

"No! Who?"

"Grandpa William and Grandma Grace."

"Awesome! Why'd you wait until now to tell me?!"

Jack laughed at his little boy. "I'm sorry. I take it you're excited?"

"Yes!"

They jumped out of the car. Hunter immediately went to head inside while Jack went to get their gear from the back of the hatchback.

"Hunt, go let Bruce out in the backyard, okay?"

"Got it, Dad." Hunter ran inside acting more like his usual self.

Closing the back hatch, Jack took an innocent look around. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary he walked inside.

Elizabeth pulled into the drive 30 minutes later. She had dropped Lee off on the next street behind the house minutes before. The plan was for him to walk back towards the house, and see if anything there was out of place, then sneak into the Thornton's from the backyard. Toliver would never know he was even in the house.

Stepping out of her car, she reached back to grab her purse and walked inside.

"Mom!" Hunter ran up to her. "Grandma and Grandpa are coming for dinner! Dad's making spaghetti and meatballs."

"Yum! One of my favorites." She smiled and kissed his head. "Hey, you." She walked up to Jack once Hunter had left the room. "We okay?"

He closed his eyes tightly before opening them again. "Yeah. I love you. We'll always be okay."

"Good." She leaned in kissing him deeply. "I love you too."

"Smart idea by the way. Having your parents over tonight."

"It gives a normal distraction. Nothing out of the ordinary for Hunter."

"Do they know what's going on?"

"No. Less people worrying right now the better. You know what to do when it's time?"

"Yeah. I do."

"Okay." She squeezed his hand.

"They're here!" Hunter yelled as he ran to the door.

It was good to see her parents. She'd never say this out loud, but part of why she invited them tonight was that if this was her last night, she wanted to see them. They'd always been so supportive of her. When she chose to go into law enforcement instead of practicing law, her father didn't blink. Not much anyway. When she announced she was marrying Jack, and becoming a mother to Hunter they embraced both with open arms and excitement.

After dinner Elizabeth stood in the kitchen washing the dishes. Her mom came up behind her placing a gentle hand on her back. She jumped what felt like a foot.

"Oh, dear," Grace laughed. "You alright, Beth?"

"Yeah. Sorry, you just surprised me."

"I understand. Is that all though?"

She nodded. "I just have a lot on my mind."

Grace could tell something was going on that her daughter wasn't willing or able to share.

"We're so proud of you, dear." Elizabeth stopped washing to look at her mom. "The life you've made here. You are a wonderful wife and mother. And Jack, well, he's a wonderful partner for you in this life. I couldn't imagine a better match for you."

"Thank you. He really is wonderful." She put the last plate in the drying rack. "Mom, I love you. You and Dad. I couldn't ask for better role models. I just want you to know that."

Grace smiled. "We know, dear. But hearing it again means the world." She hugged her daughter tightly. Something was indeed going on. She could only assume it had to do with Toliver. She kept quiet however. Elizabeth would say what she could when she was ready.

Once William and Grace had left, it was time. Luckily for them, Hunter had fallen asleep on the couch after watching a movie. Robin and Bat Bear clutched tightly in his arms.

"Jack," Elizabeth whispered as she held her son. "It's time."

"I know." He moved from his spot next to them and picked up his son.

Elizabeth leaned down kissing his forehead. "Goodnight, my sweet boy. Mommy loves you."

Holding him close, Jack carried Hunter to the base of the stairs. Lee, who had been waiting in the basement office came up with a decoy "Hunter" and carried the manikin up the rest of the way as Elizabeth closed the curtains, meeting Jack in the kitchen afterwards.

"Okay love, you have to hurry. Rosie is out back 3 houses down. She has everything already."

"Okay." Jack leaned in, Hunter still in his arms and kissed her deeply. "I love you, Elizabeth Thornton. I'm so proud of you. You go get him."

"I love you, Jack. So much."

With that, she watched the two loves of her life sneak out the back. She watched out the window praying they made it to the car safely. When they did, she sighed with relief.

Turning around she pressed her back against the door. Tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Beth? We good to go?" Lee spoke as he entered in the kitchen. Seeing her so upset he rushed to her side. "You okay?"

"I just need a minute."

"Okay. I'll be in the living room."

"God," she prayed once alone. "Please, watch over us. Don't let that be the last time I see them, please…"

…..

Jack and Rosie sat in his parent's living room watching some old tv show on Netflix. Neither one of them could tell you what it was or what was happening though. Their minds were fixed on their loves and what might happen tonight. Hunter had stayed asleep till they pulled into Jack's parents drive. He was so tired, he was back to sleep before Jack even laid him in his room upstairs.

"I'm going to get more coffee," Jack said standing from his seat. "You want any, Rosie?"

"Yes, please. I need all the caffeine I can get."

"You could just sleep you know. I'll wake you when we hear anything."

"Not going to happen, Jack. If I'm asleep, I'm not praying. I won't stop until I hear his voice again."

"Fair enough." He gave a weak smile. "Be right back."

Jack picked up their mugs and walked into the kitchen. Charlotte and Tom were already there sitting at the table. Charlotte had her bible open in front of her.

"Fresh pot's brewing now," she spoke. Her tired eyes matched the rest of theirs.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll go back and wait with Rosie."

She looked over at Tom and squeezed his hand. "Why don't you wait here? I'm going to go sit with Rosie."

"Okay…" Jack was confused but obeyed. His dad pointed to the seat recently left vacant by Charlotte. Jack took the cue and sat down.

"How are you holding up?"

Jack shrugged. "You want honesty?"

"I do believe that is how I raised you, so yes."

"This is going to sound crazy but… I keep thinking if I had just pushed her more to get pregnant sooner, she would be here with me and not there risking her life. She'd have been working at a desk this whole time. Safe. Is that selfish?"

Tom gave his son a crooked grin. "Maybe a little, but it's okay. You're allowed to think like that sometimes. You would never act on it."

"I wish I had."

"I know." He laughed. "Whenever I'd get hurt and would be told to man a desk till I healed, your mother would be so relieved. For that week or two, I was safe. She knew where I was and what was going on."

"I understand how she felt."

"I know. It's not easy being married to an police officer."

"I want a future with her and Hunter. I want more kids together. Maybe a boy with her curls that would also match Hunt or a girl with the Thornton dimples."

Tom smiled, "That would be pretty cute. Hold onto that tonight, son. Let that image sooth your heart and mind. This will all be over soon."

"What if I lose her?" Tears streamed down his cheeks. "I don't think I can do that again."

"If, and that's a big "if", but if you have to go through that again, trust me, son. You will not be alone. Ever."

"Thanks, Dad."

Tom rubbed Jack's back. Just like he'd done when he was a boy. "And about that other thing, the grandbabies. I like the sound of that! Now we just need Tom to marry and between you boys and Rosie we'll be all set."

"Nice, Dad," Jack rolled his eyes smiling. "Is that all we're good for now? Grandkids?"

"No, but it's nice to think about isn't it?"

"Yeah. Yeah it is."

…..

Around 1 am, the eerie stillness of the house was shattered by Bruce's loud howling down in the kitchen. "You hear that?" Elizabeth whispered.

Lee nodded and pulled out his phone texting to the team he knew was nearby. "Plans a go. Get in position."

Dressed for a fight, they both pulled out their guns, making sure they were ready.

Hearing Bruce howl's continue, she panicked. Elizabeth kicked herself for not thinking to get him out of the house too. She stood from her perch, wanting to keep him safe for her son. That dog with his best friend.

"Beth! Down!" Lee whispered harshly.

"But Bruce…"

"Stick to the plan. We need him cornered. No escaping remember?"

She hated it but he was right.

With the house still once again she could hear every movement. Relief washed over her when she could hear the dog eating something in his cage. That pup was never a quiet eater. It drove her nuts normally.

They sat in place and listened to the creaking of the stairs as their target climbed. Hearing nothing soon after, they assumed he reached the top.

Lee took a few steps toward the doorway, watching as Nate went inside Hunter's room. He gestured for her to follow him down the hall.

"Hey, Hunt," Nate whispered just as Elizabeth and Lee reached the door.

Lee raised his fingers, "3… 2… 1…" then turned to stand in the doorway. "Nate Tol…."

Shots were fired in rapid succession in the dark room. Seeing Toliver hit the ground, Lee flipped on the lights and rushed towards him. Toliver groaned in pain as he held his side.

"Looks like you'll live." Lee said pulling out his handcuffs. "Nate Toliver, you are under arrest for stalking, attempted kidnapping, and whatever else I can pin on you!"

All Nate could do was groan. He couldn't believe it was ending like this.

"We did it, Beth! Beth?" Lee turned around to see Beth lying on the ground. "Beth!"

Just then the backup team entered the room. "Get him out of here!"" Lee yelled before turning to pull Elizabeth closer. "Beth! Wake up. Wake up please!"

"Ouch…" She groaned, coming to.

"Oh, thank God!" Lee gasped. "You scared me."

"Sorry..." Lee helped her sit up. She took a moment to check herself over. "Ouch. My arm… my chest."

"Yeah I see it. Medic!" Lee called down the hall toward the stairs. "Man, I love these vests…" She had taken two hits to the chest, which thanks to the vest wouldn't result in much more than some serious bruising. Her arm was bleeding slightly. One of the shots must have grazed her.

"What about you?"

"I'm fine."

"Lee, your chest."

Lee looked down. "Yeah, I know. He got me once too."

"Of course, I'm the one that hit the ground…" she groaned.

"Beth, you got shot right over the heart. Any of us would have gone down after a hit like that. Relax and don't be the tough guy, alright?"

"Fine." Lee helped her to her feet. "We got him though, right?"

"Oh yeah. He's toast."

…..

It was 2:30 am and they hadn't heard a word yet. Charlotte and Tom sat curled up together on their loveseat in the living room. Tom watched his wife sleep. This whole night had been a bit of an eye opener for him. He'd always been in the middle of the action before. Having to sit and see what it was like to wait for news about a loved one… he felt guilty for putting his love through that. But it had been his dream. His destiny. Just like it was Elizabeth's.

Jack sat on the couch with Rosie, his arm around her like a protective brother, both still praying silently. Jack held tight to the images his mind had conjured up earlier. A little boy or little girl. Part him. Part Elizabeth. It was keeping him going.

Suddenly Rosie's phone rang on the coffee table causing all four of them to jump.

"Lee? Sweetie?"

"Hey there, sweetheart."

Jack's phone rang next. He grabbed it and ran into the other room. "Beth?"

…..

Jack ran through the double doors of the hospital's ER.

"Excuse me, my wife Elizabeth Thornton was brought in within the last hour. She's a police officer with the 21st precinct."

"Yes, right this way."

Jack followed the nurse down the cold hallway to Elizabeth's room. Chief Gowan stood waiting right outside.

"Sir," Jack extended his hand.

"She did good, Jack. I've giving her the next 4 days off to recuperate."

"To recuperate? How bad is she?" He panicked.

"She'll be fine. Just some bruising mostly. Enjoy your family."

"Thank you sir. I will." Jack opened the door and slipped inside. "Beth?" As soon as he saw her, he felt his heart beating again. Finally, he was breathing again.

"Hi, love." She reached out to him.

"Have I ever told you that you have the most beautiful voice?"

She giggled. "Maybe a time or two." She sighed as Jack climbed onto the gurney with her, holding her tight against his chest. "It's over, Jack. We got him. We're all safe."

"When can I bring you home?"

"Now." Dr. Joyce Cerrato said as she entered. "You're all cleared. I'm sending you with some extra bandages for your arm just in case. Make sure you take Tylenol for your chest and call if you have any other issues."

"Thank you, doctor. She will." Jack pulled her even closer. "You ready to head home, babe?"

"Definitely."

….

The whole drive home, Elizabeth said almost nothing. She just sat there in the passenger seat holding Jack's hand. She had something on her mind.

When they came to a turn, she noticed Jack turn right towards their home and not to his parent's to get Hunter.

"Jack, what about Hunter?"

"Let him sleep at my parents. We can get him later."

"Alright." She smiled, liking the idea of a little alone time with her husband. Even if she was more tired than she could ever remember.

Once inside their home Jack put her bandages in the downstairs bathroom and came back to the living room where she was waiting. She was standing in front of the mantel staring at a family picture taken at their wedding. She, Jack and Hunter looked so happy. She couldn't help but smile at the wonderful life she had now.

"You okay, Beth?" He asked watching her.

She turned around. "Better than ever."

"Great." He smiled and headed towards the kitchen. "You want anything? Coffee, wine, ice cream?"

"Ice cream sounds great."

"Coming right up."

She looked back at the picture one last time. Could she do it? Share with him what was on her mind? It was big. Huge even. Standing there in that moment she wanted nothing more though.

"Hey, Jack?"

"Yeah, babe?" He was reaching up to grab the ice cream bowls from the top shelf.

"Let's have a baby."

"Huh?" In his shock he dropped the bowls, sending them bouncing off the counter. Surprisingly neither broke. He was in shock. Could he have really heard her right? "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"Let's have a baby, Jack."

Forgetting about the ice cream he walked over to her. "Beth, you know me. You know how badly I want this. To have a baby with you..."

"I know," her voice was low. Seductive even.

"Okay. Just... don't say this if you don't mean it."

"I mean it, Jack." She closed the distance, nuzzling his neck as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you. I love our life."

Jack grinned like a little boy on Christmas morning. "I'm asking one last time, are you sure?"

She nodded. "Jack!" She giggled as Jack picked her up over his shoulder and carried her up the stairs, not wasting another moment.