Chapter 5 - Shattered Hearts

Sam had met Jules in the corridor on his way out. He told her he needed to take off for a while; Greg knew and he would be back in an hour. He placed a quick soft kiss on her cheek before exiting through the doors giving Jules no time to ask any questions.

Jules still had the remains of a puzzled look when she walked back into the operations room.

"Are you OK?" Spike asked Jules noticing she was looking a little perplexed.

"I'm fine" brushing off her confused look "need any help?"

""That is exactly what your husband said and then he left without saying a word".

"What exactly were you two doing before he left?"

"He had asked about the woman this morning; I showed him her photograph, I went to get some coffee and when I came back he had gone".

"Can I see the photograph?" Jules asked and then watched as Spike sifted through the paperwork sitting on the desk.

"It's not here" Spike replied looking confused and more than a little irritated. He was by nature a very precise individual and had never mislaid anything especially photographic evidence from an ongoing police investigation.

"Can you pull her image up on the computer?"

Spike started typing and seconds later the image of the woman from her driver's license appeared on the computer screen.

Jules studied the image carefully. She knew she had never seen the woman before; but had Sam recognized her?

"What are you looking for?" Spike asked

"Nothing; just thought I might have recognized her from an old case."

"And?"

"And, No, I have never seen her before". Jules picked up a file and started reading.

Jules tried to concentrate on the case files, but she had an uneasy feeling gnawing at her. What have you found out Sam; what was so important that you couldn't tell me or the team?

Sam was tapping his hands on the steering wheel to no beat in particular; he was in the middle of a traffic jam with no possible exits for at least half a mile. He had no choice but to sit and wait for the traffic to start moving. He had told Greg he would be an hour - at this rate he would be lucky to make it back in two. He wondered if he should have said anything to Jules, but he wasn't sure about the woman; he needed to ask the one person who would know for certain. Thoughts were running through his head like a goddamn freight train. He was worried about Jules - he wanted her to tell the team about the baby - he didn't want her to wait another day. He wanted her in the command truck where she and their baby would be safe. He felt guilty that he hadn't been able to show how completely and utterly over the moon he was about their baby; the events of the week had placed such a cloud over them. Losing Tyler Richardson, the little boy he should have saved, only added to his guilt. Now Andrew's gone, killed by a sniper covering Team One's shift. Everything was messed up; everything except Jules and the baby. He had to hold onto that; keep believing things would get better. He was married to the most amazing woman and they were going to be parents. Although life could be cruel; it could also be incredible.

Damn traffic, if he had taken an SUV from the lot he could have put the sirens and got through the traffic faster.

Finally, the cars started to move and he managed to exit the next left turn.

"Hot Call, Team One, shots fired at Victoria Park Station". Winnie's voice bringing the team to attention.

Greg quickly gathered the information from the SRU Despatcher and all were geared up and ready to leave within five minutes.

"What about Sam? Jules asked Greg.

"Phone him Jules, give him the location and tell him to meet us there".

Jules took out her phone and pressed call against Sam's name. 'You have reached Sam Braddock - I am unable to take your call right now, leave a message and I will get back to you'.

"Sam, we have a call; Boss said to meet us there - Victoria Park station - hostage situation. Call me back as soon as you get this."

"It's going to voice-mail Boss, but I left a message; gave the location and told him to meet us there".

Team One arrived 15 minutes later. Uniformed police were on scene and informed Greg a young male teen was holding a 9mm handgun to the head of his young female hostage.

"Jules, you want to take the lead on this one?"

Jules debated telling Greg about the baby; she knew Greg would order her straight to the command truck once he knew about her pregnancy - it was the rules. She hadn't taken the lead in a negotiation for some time; she felt the adrenalin start to run through her veins; she wanted this one more time. Tomorrow, she promised herself, she would tell the team tomorrow; no more negotiations, no more running down subjects; she would be hidden away encased in a bullet proof truck until she had the baby.

"Sure, no problem Boss".

"Ed and Leah provide cover; Spike try and find out who this kid is". Greg gave the orders but knew his team was already in position. They were a tight, disciplined, highly trained unit and he trusted each of them to be focused on the current situation and not let thoughts of a possible sniper hinder the negotiations.

"On it Boss" Spike took up his position in the command truck and immediately set to work.

The station had been evacuated and only a few transport personnel were left standing behind the police cordon.

Jules walked slowly towards the young man. It would be foolish to think Jules had no thoughts of the sniper hiding on a rooftop somewhere, ready to shoot anyone of them at any time: She glanced momentarily up at the skyline of the buildings surrounding her before turning her attention to the subject and to resolving the current situation peacefully.

Jules placed her hand on Ed's shoulder; he was in front of her with his MK5 submachine gun raised and ready. Leah was just to her left and was pointing her MK5 directly at the hostage taker's head. Any sudden escalation from the assailant would result in his death; and that would not be happening today - not if Jules had anything to do with it.

"Hi, my name is Jules, Jules Callaghan; I'm with the Strategic Response Unit. Can you tell me your name?"

"Brian".

"What is your last name Brian?"

"Jackson; my name is Brian Jackson…she's leaving me, tell her she can't leave me. Tell her she has to stay". The hostage taker replied.

This was a promising start to the negotiation; the young man was already cooperating and although he still held a gun to the girl's head, his posture had already become less threatening.

"Is she your friend Brian, can you tell me her name?" Jules looked at the young girl he was holding and thought she looked no older than sixteen. Jules tried to reassure her without saying a word, tried to let her know she would do her best to get her back to her family safely.

Spike on hearing the name started to type frantically searching for clues to the young boy's identity.

"Boss, I have an address - Brian lives with his parents in Scarborough; sending uniformed offices to the address now - I also have a telephone number for the parents."

Greg made his way back to the command truck - this was the least favorite part of his job - telling the parents their son was armed and had taken a hostage and best case scenario he would be going to prison for a long time; worst case scenario - did not bear thinking about.

Greg advised the boy's parents that uniformed officers would be arriving shortly to bring them to the scene. He asked if anything had happened at home which could have resulted in the current situation. They advised Greg their son Brian had been upset because his girlfriend, Lisa Sheldon, was moving to Atlanta and was leaving the following day. Brian was 17; Lisa 16 and they had been inseparable since meeting in high school two years ago. Greg did his best to put them at ease; but they needed to know their soon was already facing a long period in prison; the SRU's prime objective was a peaceful resolution and to keep Brian and Lisa alive.

"The hostage is Lisa Sheldon - Spike find a number for her family and get them on the phone". Another tough call Greg did not want to make.

Seconds later Spike had the information and Greg made the call.

Greg could hear Jules through his headset talking calmly to the young boy. Negotiations appeared to be going well; hopefully there would be a peaceful solution. He was proud of Jules; she was handling herself admirably despite the events of the past week.

Sam pulled up to the house for the second time that week. He hated having to talk to Olivia about this, but there was no one else he could ask.

Olivia looked tired, her normally glowing soft brown skin was pale and dark circles were framing tired, sad eyes. Sam leaned forward to kiss Olivia on the cheek but she quickly turned her face away, evading his offer of affection and responded with a curt hello. He knew she resented him; it was an inevitable outcome of telling her Andrew was covering Team One's shift, but he had no choice, he had to be honest with her.

"What do you want Sam?" Olivia asked her voice devoid of emotion; her usual warm demeanor gone and replaced with anger and bitterness. She sat in the armchair opposite him and uneasily played with her skirt; her eyes remaining focused on the intricate stitching of the garment, desperately trying to avoid meeting his eyes. Sam knew she was uncomfortable with him being there and the realization that he had lost two friends the day Andrew died saddened him. His throat was dry and as he tried to speak, his voice cracked with emotion.

"I would not have troubled you if it wasn't important Liv. I need to show you a photograph."

Sam took the folded photograph from his pocket. He opened it carefully and walked over to Olivia.

"Do you recognize this woman?"

Olivia took the photograph and glanced at the woman "No, Sam I don't".

"Take another look, are you sure you don't recognize her? It is really important". Sam pleaded.

"Has she got anything to do with Andrew's murder?"

"She was the sniper's second victim - Liv, are you sure you do not recognize her?"

Olivia studied the photograph carefully; it took only seconds for her to realize who she was looking at.

"The Otis Sanders trial; Jesus Sam, she was on the jury. How is that possible?" Olivia had momentarily forgotten her resentment towards Sam. "Did Andrew's death have something to do with the Sanders trial?"

"I'm not sure, but I know this is no coincidence - I just needed to be sure who she was before I told anyone else".

"Sam, you gave evidence at the trail and what about everyone else; the Judge the Prosecutor are they all in danger?"

"I don't know what any of this means" Sam replied honestly. "We have a lead; that's all. We still don't know who he is and who he will be targeting next." Sam looked at Olivia and his mind went back to their first meeting. Andrew had accidently bumped into her at the court; knocking her papers from her hand. From that moment on Andrew had driven Sam insane constantly talking about the gorgeous paralegal. Eventually, Sam had threatened to tell Olivia himself if he didn't ask her out. So Andrew summoned up the courage and asked Olivia out to dinner but then he had begged and begged until Sam and Jules gave in and went along too. The four of them had enjoyed many nights out after that: Dinner at Luigi's and drinks at the Goose. He and Jules liked their company and their friendship was comfortable and easy. But Andrew was gone and Sam owed it to him and their friendship to keep Olivia safe.

"Liv, can you leave Toronto for a while - is there anyone you can stay with?"

"Do you think he will come after me?" Olivia's face instantly etched in fear and panic.

"I don't want to take any chances; but anyway getting away from everything for a while may be good for you." Sam was trying not to scare Olivia more than she already was; the truth was he was terrified for her.

"No, Sam, I tell you what would be good for me; Andrew not being dead would be good for me and my baby still having a father would be good for me." She knew in her heart none of what was happening was Sam's fault but she was angry and scared and needed someone to blame. The tears Olivia had been desperately trying to stop were now falling down her cheeks. Sam held her tightly and for the first time that day she did not push him away, but held him just as tightly.

"I'm so sorry this has happened to you" Sam whispered as she wept into his chest.

"I'm sorry too".

"I have an aunt in Ottowa I can stay with." Olivia finally said, wiping the tears from her cheeks; I will give her a call and let her know I'm coming". Olivia left to go upstairs. She returned twenty minutes later; she had changed her clothes and had a small suitcase in her hand.

Sam was relieved there would be one less person for him to worry about.

As Sam drove back towards the SRU he felt better than he had all day. Olivia was safely on her way out of the city and he had a potential lead on the sniper. The biggest worry now; If this was something to do with the Otis Sanders trial, there could be many potential targets; too many to protect them all.

Both Lisa and Brian's parents were brought to Greg in the command truck by uniformed officers. Lisa's mother was crying hysterically, holding an envelope in her hand.

"It's from Lisa, she says she doesn't want to leave Brian and they would rather die together than be apart".

Lisa's father explained they were due to fly to Atlanta the following day, but Lisa had been upset about the move for weeks and said she did not want to leave Brian.

Greg took off his cap and rubbed his head. He knew the information had potentially changed the situation and it was now looking increasingly likely this would not end well for anyone.

"Jules the situation has changed. Lisa has written what appears to be a suicide note; this may not be a straightforward hostage situation - we could be looking at suicide by cop - go careful Jules." Greg spoke through his com link but the words had barely left his lips when shots were heard.

No one, least of all Jules, expected Lisa Sheldon to be hiding a gun in the pocket of her jacket. When Brian pointed the gun at Jules, Ed had fired and ended Brian's life. As Jules moved toward the hostage, Lisa took a gun from her jacket and fired twice. Leah shot and killed Lisa, The bodies of the young couple lay together on the floor, blood pooling like a crimson lake around their heads.

"Subjects neutralized" Leah confirmed.

"Officer down, officer down" Ed was screaming into his headset "Jules has been hit".

The force knocked Jules backwards at least five feet instantly expelling the air from her lungs. She landed hard on the concrete concourse and the more she struggled to breathe, the less she was able to. Dots started to dance in front of her eyes; she felt sick and dizzy, but all Jules could think about was the baby growing inside of her.

Jules was trying to speak to Ed; she needed to tell him about the baby. She should have told Greg, why didn't she tell Greg? She should have been in the command truck, safe.

Finally she found her voice "Ed, I'm Ok; just winded."

"Jules, lay still, EMS are on the way". Ed spoke softly; he needed to keep her calm and her breathing slow.

"Ed, I'm OK, just had the wind knocked out of me is all" Jules was protesting trying to stand. Why couldn't she stand? Jesus she felt tired all of a sudden.

"Jules, you're bleeding; you need to lay still and slow your breathing".

Jules felt Ed take hold of her hand; she hoped she wasn't dying - Sam would be so mad at her; the baby - what about her baby? She tried to hold on; to stay awake but the darkness grew like a black veil until it enveloped her completely.

San looked at his watch; shit he had been a lot longer than he said. He needed to call Greg to let him know he was on his way back. As he took out his phone he noticed several missed calls. He was expecting to be seriously reprimanded, but hoped he would be forgiven when he told them what he had discovered about the sniper's second victim.

"Boss, sorry I was held up, but I think I have a lead on the sniper case…"

"Sam" Greg interrupted; his voice seeped in sadness and concern.

"Boss?" Sam knew from Greg's tone that something was seriously wrong. He swallowed hard trying to force the saliva down his throat. Had the sniper struck again? He waited, unable to draw a breath, hearing his own heartbeat hammering loudly in his ears.

"It's Jules; she's been hurt; we are at St. Simons".

"How bad?"

"I'll explain when you get here".

Sam was hyperventilating as he raced through to city; maneuvering the jeep through traffic and nearly sideswiping a black BMW which he had miraculously avoided striking by millimeters. Sam's driving skills were being put to the test as he weaved in an out of the other vehicles. His only focus was Jules and getting to the hospital in the quickest time possible.

Sam was praying as he drove, praying to everyone he had lost to keep Jules alive.

Sam parked the jeep and ran - faster than he had ever run before. He was thankful it was St. Simons; he knew every inch of the hospital; he did not have to waste time asking for directions, he knew where she would be and arrived barely a minute later.

He saw Greg and Spike sitting in the waiting area outside the trauma bay.

"Where is she? What happened?" Sam pleaded desperate for information.

"Sit down Sam, take a breath" Greg told his officer kindly. "She's been taken to surgery - she was shot twice one bullet hit her vest, the other just missed her vest and hit her lower abdomen."

Sam put his head in his hands; it was the only way he could stop the scream that was about to escape from his mouth.

Spike walked over and sat next to Sam and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "She will be OK Sam". Sam nodded in acknowledgement, but couldn't speak; he could not tell Spike how desperately scared he felt right at that moment. Spike didn't know, no one knew there were two lives at stake and Sam couldn't comprehend losing either of them.

OK so Chapter 5 is finally up - sorry to leave you hanging but it was actually a really good place to end the chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and if you did nothing would make me happier than for you to tell me by writing a review - however small. For those of you who didn't like it - I'm sorry - but I appreciate comments good or bad.