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

As soon as the lights went out Henry started to run to Jo's room. A firm hand on his left shoulder stopped the me. He glared at Reece through the low emergency lights.

"Let the plan work."Reece advised.

It went against everything, but Henry obeyed the Lieutenant and stayed at the nurses's station. Please let this plan work. Henry prayed silently. He couldn't live with himself if anyone got hurt because of him.


After shutting off the power Adam stayed in the basement for a moment. He'd shut the emergency generator off as well. Part of him knew that people would die from that move. Mostly, the immortal was unbothered by whatever losses there were today. Every battle had casualties. A few minutes later Adam made his way to Jo's floor. He knew chaos would be in full swing and that was exactly as he planned.


Alert tones began almost immeaditely to sound from the overhead speakers. Then just as fast they stopped with a strangled sound.

"He cut the emergency generator."Jo stated grimly.

"Bastard."Mike swore not moving from his hiding spot. "He does't care who dies today."

"We should've placed guards at that generator."Jo responded softly.

"We didn't think he was that cold blooded."Mike replied gently. "This hospital is one of the best in the city. They have drills for this; they'll get the critical out and safe."

"Hope so."Jo whispered.

"Suspect sighted."Reece said over the radio. "Coming out the stairwell at the rear of the floor."

"Show time."Mike acknowledged over the com.


To continue with the ruse of it being a normal hospital floor Reece instructed her team to start evacuating 'patients'. Most were team members tucked under sheets to hide scrubs or improvised 'dummies' made of various sheet covered items. To Reece it looked like controlled chaos. She just hoped it was convincing enough for their quarry.

Reece had ordered Henry as part of the 'evacuation' team. He was a bundle of nerves and restless energy that needed something to be proactive with. Joanna hoped it was enough to distract the M.E. Henry was excellent in his field but she didn't want him going after Adam on his own. That was the last thing any of them needed.


On paper this had all seemed like a good idea, Mike thought grimly. He remained still as a statue in the short spanse between the bathroom and main door. One thing they hadn't counted on was the total darkness. They'd all assumed they'd have the lights from the emergency generator. Those lights weren't full capacity but it'd been better than nothing. Now all they had was sound to warn them. Mike didn't like those odds. Not dealing with a thousand plus year old being. Still Mike took a deep breath and stayed where he was; waiting.

His partner's life depended on a normal police sting working on non-normal situation. Mike tightened his grip on his gun. The radio com crackled to life once more.

"Anybody have eyes on our suspect?"Reece asked in a hushed voice.

Mike knew some of the illuminated exit signs in the halls were battery powered. With the emergency lights down; those signs were all they had.

"Just walked by the elevator; moving fast."A young male voice responded.

"Keep your distance."Reece ordered crisply. "Last thing we need is this guy to get suspicious and bolt."

Acknowledgments came across the com. Mike knew the elevators were half way down the hall from Jo's room. With Adam moving fast the immortal should be there any minute. As if on cue Mike heard the door open and close. It was done so silently that if he hadn't been standing right next to it he would't have noticed. Mike could only hope his partner had heard it.


Jo heard the footsteps more than the door opening. She gripped her gun tighter as it rested under the sheets. The detective had been part of similar plans in the past. Being bait was never easy. You had to rely on your team and your backup. Even though Jo knew Adam couldn't see her any more than she could see him she forced her body to relax. Tension gave her more of a chance to miss when firing the gun and with Mike in the room she couldn't risk that.

"I am sorry it had to come to this, Detective Martinez."A cultured accent stated sounding loud in the darkness.

A few seconds later Jo heard footsteps as Mike moved and then sounds of a scuffle. She hated not knowing what was going on. Jo couldn't help her partner if she couldn't see the fight. All she could do was wait and pray.


Mike was reacting solely on instinct and sound. His eyes had adjusted to the dark but it was too dark to even see a silhouette. He'd moved when Adam spoke and had been able to bring his gun down on the back of the man's head. The immortal had stumbled and recovered quicker than Mike had anticipated. Adam had gotten two blows to Mike's stomach before he could react. The detective had kicked out with his right foot trying to sweep his opponent's legs out from under. His kick hadn't been strong enough. Mike got one more punch in before Adam landed two quick fierce ones to his jaw. A third punch hit the same spot and Mike went down hitting the floor hard. He fought to stay conscious knowing he was the closest backup Jo had. A few seconds later darkness overwhelmed Mike's senses and he slid unconscious.


Henry appreciated what Reece was trying to do. By necessity the lieutenant didn't know the whole scope of what and who they were dealing with. Five minutes after being assigned to assist the 'evacuation' Henry had dodged his colleagues and made his way back towards Jo's room via another corridor that circumvented the nurses's station. Henry just hoped he wasn't already too late.