Title: Fragile
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

In forty-eight hours the plan was set and they were ready. They had come up with a story about Adam for Reece without telling the Lieutenant the full immortal tale. Mike had suggested the idea they ended up deciding on and Jo still thought it was a solid one. Though Henry was constantly going over it. Jo was touched that he was worried, and if she was truthful with herself she was worried too.

"Ready?"Mike asked from the door of her living room.

"Yes."Jo replied as she stood and walked to where her partner stood.

"Hospital's ready and secure too."Mike added with a grim smile.

Jo nodded as she gathered her coat and overnight bag from the foyer closet. The plan was to leak to the media that Jo's condition had worsened and she'd been admitted back to the hospital for emergency surgery. That gave them a confined environment to lay the trap. Henry had pointed out it also gave Adam options. But the hospital had given them a vacated floor that was under a remodel. The construction equipment and supplies had been stored away and beds returned. Officers portraying hospital staff would patrol the halls that way not putting civilians in danger. Henry would be part of that group. Opening the front door Jo turned back to her partner.

"Let's nab a psycho immortal."Jo said with a smile.

Mike rolled his eyes but followed Jo outside.


Henry gripped the clipboard he was holding to keep from pacing. He was dressed as a medical doctor complete with white lab coat and light green scrubs. The immortal stood by the nurses's station at the oppisite end of the abandoned hospital hall from the elevator. So in theory when Adam arrived he wouldn't spot Henry.

"Relax, Henry."Joanna Reece said from Henry's right. "You'll blow this before it even starts. If you're tense everyone else will be and our quarry will sense the ruse and bolt."

"Sorry."Henry apoligized forcing his shoulders to relax and he leaned against the nurse's station. "By the way you'd make a wonderful nurse if you decide to switch careers,"

"Needles and I don't get along."Reece responded with a weak smile.

"Ah."Henry commented with a nod.

"We're in place."Mike stated over the team radio.

"Copy that."Reece acknowledged as she glanced at Henry. "Now all we can do is wait."

"Which is always the difficult part."Henry said softly his gaze fixed on the elevator.


Eight long hours into the charade Jo was starting to have doubts. Maybe psycho immortals didn't read social media? Maybe Adam sensed it was a trap and was staying away waiting for another chance.

"It'll work, Jo."Mike said from his spot by the room's only window. "Then we can get back to our lives."

"Our lives with a two hundred year old medical examiner?"Jo countered.

Jo was rewarded with a grin from her partner.

"I still can't wrap my head around it."Mike admitted quietly.

"It's a lot to take in."Jo agreed. "But it certainly explains a few things."

The team radio crackled to life startling Jo. Mike straightened as they listened.

"Possible suspect spotted in lobby."One of the uniformed officers doubling as security guards reported.

"Understood."Reece acknowledged. "Everybody get ready."


Adam suspected this was a trap. It was far too easy access to a member of law enforcement who'd already been attacked. He got off on another floor than his destination. As a precaution took several circular routes around the floor then got back on the elevator and put in his next destination. If this was a trap there were a few things he needed to do first. Luckily, he'd come prepared.

The radio chatter stopped leaving Jo and Mike in tense silence. Jo saw Mike move closer to the door. He tucked into the shadows between the bathroom and the main door. Jo slid down farther in the bed and tried to relax her body and pretend she was sleeping. The radio crackled to life again and Jo recognized the same voice as before; the patrolman in the lobby.

"Confirmed."The young man reported. "Repeat confirmed; suspect is in the building."

"Here we go."Mike murmured.

Just as Jo was about to reply the lights went out and the hospital plunged into darkness.