Chapter 14

Kate

She awoke with Barsad's arm still around her. The sun light was already shining through the window, it was blinding at first. As slowly and gently as she could she tried to pull from Barsad but when she barely moved an inch his hold tightened around her. She didn't know what to do. He was strong. She looked up and saw he was still sleeping. Eyes closed and holding on tightly, she surprised at how peacefully he slept.

She tried again by pulling her left hand from his. That woke him; he flinched at first then looked around the room. When his eyes settled on Kate he blinked a few times then loosened his grip. He sighed then let her go rubbing his eyes.

"What time is it?" he asked Kate as she stood up and stretched. Kate shook her head then walked to the window and looked out to see the sun was high up. Barsad stood up as there came a knock on the door. The door slowly opened, Olavi, Riley and Micah stood there. They looked from Barsad then to Kate. They said nothing at first then Riley stepped forward.

"It's late, noon we should head out to round up the others." He said then turned around. Olavi and Micah remained at the door watching and wondering. "You slept in. that's the first." Micah said with an awkward grin. Kate ignored him and strapped on her vest and weapons. She heard and slap. Olavi smacked Micah in the back of the head. She smiled then nodded to Olavi. Barsad kept quiet.

"It's none of your business to begin with." Barsad said looking back. Micah was still rubbing his head. Kate was first to the door, "Time to go to work." She said with a smile and gently caressed Micah's young smooth face. He stared at her with a smile and followed after her.

Kate and Micah were far ahead of the Barsad and Olavi. Micah looked behind them then when he seemed convinced it was clear. "Did anything happen?" he asked in a whisper. Kate smiled and laughed. She kept her fast pace from Barsad, "No, Nothing happened." She replied and turned around behind and caught a glimpse of Barsad grinning back at her.

"He does like you a lot." Said Micah but he didn't dare to look back. Kate sometimes forgot how young he was. Kate didn't say a single about it, she knew.

She followed the road and thought about last night. She hadn't felt safe in a long time. But of course it couldn't happen, it wasn't meant to be. There was a sense of comfort. Barsad would keep to his word, He would let no harm come to her. She smiled and walked on. For once out of all the lies that she had told in her life, this was true. She believed in Barsad.

Barsad

He was surprised that he had slept in but he didn't mind it at all. Truth be told he the best sleep in a long time. For once his dreams weren't haunted of Cilara. He knew that Kate would never let that happen again. She didn't have to stay with him but she did. That was enough; he wasn't heartbroken knowing that he could never have her. He realized that he hadn't held another woman in a long time. There were a few just for the night but nothing like with Kate. He smiled to himself and didn't say a watched as she stayed ahead of him with Micah at her side.

He knew that Micah wanted to know what happened behind the closed door. He chuckled to himself as Kate looked back at him with a smile, one he hadn't seen before. He waited for Micah to look back but the boy wouldn't dare.

The afternoon was chilly since the clouds rolled over. He looked up to the sky and knew it was snow clouds, the first snow was light but this one could be thicker. Thinking about it, normally he didn't like snow but considering this was his last mission. He might as well enjoy it. But that same thought also tormented him a lot lately.

He pushed that thought from his head when he saw a truck pull up beside them.

"We rounded up people hiding out in a bank uptown. Bane said your lady Kate can look through the cops we found too." The driver shouted. Barsad looked up and recognized him, he was another member named Cole. He was a big man, built like most in their army. He was another ex-marine from somewhere in the western states, Barsad never really got to him. In fact this man irritated him. Even now just the goggles he wore was irritating him.

"Let Kate know." Barsad ordered and waved for Cole to kill the engine. "Let the cops off for inspection." He ordered the others that followed the truck on foot. They pulled seven people from the back of the truck and lined them up. Barsad waited until Kate returned with Micah at her side. Conner, Ivan, Johan and Arben followed behind her guns out and ready.

Cole jumped from the truck pulling off his goggles and undressing Kate with his eyes. Barsad glared at him, Kate noticed and raised her brow.

"Can I help you?" asked Kate, Barsad smiled her question was laced with sarcasm. He kept his eyes on Cole who continue to follow her every step with his eyes. Kate ignored him and walked to the back of the truck where they had the men lined up. Most kept their heads down; Barsad stepped forward and scanned each and every one of them. Three of them who stared straight ahead he admired. These men weren't afraid of what was coming next.

Kate took out the photos of the officers from Jim Gordon's personal investigation. She held the photos next to their faces and took her time at it. Every one watched in silence.

"Well, well. Craig Nelson. How have you been?" asked Kate smiling and lifting the man's chin up to see his face clearly. He didn't say a word but continued to stare ahead. He had a slight beard growing in, but those green eyes that shined in his photo could still be seen. The tough years had settled on his face.

Barsad looked at Micah, "Search him." He ordered. Micah padded him and found a worn down brown leather wallet. He opened and looked through it taking out the I.D card. "It's him. Craig Benjamin Nelson." Micah said giving the I.D to Kate who looked at it then smiled back at Craig.

"Officer Nelson. You are hereby under arrest by the free City and People of Gotham to answer for your crimes." She said and pulled him out of the line. Craig Nelson glared at Kate.

"You think you're any better than the rest of us? You? You work for them. I know who you are, and what your agenda is." He hissed and spat at the pavement by Kate's boot. Kate stopped looking at the spit then up to Craig. "No, I'm not better than anyone. I just see things more clearly than I ever have." She said coolly and shoved Craig to Olavi.

Craig continued to glare at Kate. "Gerry knew right from wrong. I was in for the money but I still had some respect for what he stood for. You are nothing." He said holding his gaze into Kate's eyes.

"Tell me what you know and maybe you'll show you mercy." Kate said as she now stood toe to toe with Craig whose arms were held back by Olavi. Craig stood his ground. He shook his head and looked down to the pavement at his feet. Barsad knew that this man would not break. There weren't many men like him left.

Kate stepped closer until she was in his face. "You don't know me, but you will." She whispered to him. Craig kept his gaze to the road. Kate stood there for another moment then snickered "Take him, put him in with the other three." She ordered. Olavi nodded then led Craig back to City Hall.

Barsad had the others rounded back up in the truck. He was too busy barking the orders that he didn't see that Kate had pulled her glock17 on Cole. Cole had his hands in the air and look of pure fear.

"I was just messing with you." Cole uttered in a panic. Barsad quickened his pace to the front of the truck. Kate had a strange cold look in her eyes. Then she smiled.

"Try messing with this." She said and pulled the trigger. Cole's body dropped, his blood splashed across the truck's door and window. Every one stood still. Barsad stared at the body for a moment. Micah looked in awe at the scene. Blood began to flow out.

Barsad watched Kate bend down slowly. She looked at Cole and then stood up again. Barsad peered at her from the corner of his eye. There was no trace of emotion, she slipped her glock17 back into the holster and walked away without looking back. Micah and Barsad exchanged looks confusion. Then Micah turned and trailed after Kate.

"Pick up his body. Get it out of the fucking street." He ordered then turned to Riley and Conner who remained. All three men looked at Kate who kept walking.

"What the hell happened?" he asked. Conner sighed, Riley glanced up at him. "Cole said a few vulgar comments then went too far when he grabbed her ass." Riley explained. Barsad snorted then looked back to Kate was still walking far ahead of them with Micah beside her.

"She's becoming unhinged." He said then ordered them to move out.

Jim

Blake returned with a daily report of what was happening in the streets. His last report was when he followed Kate and her team yesterday. Jim didn't want to believe what Blake had to say but he knew it was true, Kate was rounding up cops. Not just any but those he had suspecting in Gerry's murder. How could be careless for leaving that in his desk drawer.

None of this was going to end well he could now see that much. Kate was falling apart; Bane had gotten inside her head and was turning her personal anger to his advantage. He didn't know what to do. Only one thing came to mind. They had to kidnap her, at the rate she was going. She wasn't going to leave them by choice.

Foley didn't like the idea. Izzo and Blake knew it was the only way they could save her before she lost herself completely. Jim couldn't let that happen. He had to do something. Blake had been trailing the small team for a while now and knew that it would be difficult because she was never alone. He had learned that Bane's number two man Barsad was with her at all times.

They had a plan but when to execute it was the difficult part. Jim had the others go out and warn the others, even the men he vowed to never see again but they were citizens of Gotham and his job was protect every living soul in Gotham. It was hard to swallow that he had to protect these men from Kate's wrath. If what Blake heard was true. She was planning a public execution. They had to capture her before that. He just prayed that the others took the warning seriously and went into hiding.

"Commissioner?" asked Blake called down as he entered through the basement door. Jim didn't bother to turn around. Blake walked down the steps and stood across the small table in front of him. Jim looked up.

"They finally left City Hall and are headed out on fifth. This might our only chance." Blake explained. Jim nodded, "Get everyone together." He ordered and grabbed for his coat on the chair beside him. Blake nodded back then turned around and back up the stairs.

Jim walked out into the street. The cold hit him by surprise. The request for help in this mission had a surprising turn out as well. There were twelve that showed. Many he knew and others he didn't but that didn't matter. They were Gotham's Finest.

"Thank you all for volunteering. I don't have the right to ask you to join us. Kate Messner is a great Federal Agent. Gerry Messner was a great cop; I can't let Bane destroy her. I won't let Bane destroy her. You can leave if you feel that isn't what you signed up for. I won't blame you." he said as he peered into the eyes of every man that stood before him. No one moved, or said a word. They remained standing there. Jim smiled back they weren't just cops. They were men with families that were depending on them to return when the day was out. But he had called for volunteers and they had answered that call. For that he was thankful.

The group of men had made it to fifth and Carlie. Blake had gone ahead and spotted Kate on the next street over. Everything was set. The twelve guys would help draw Kate and the mercenaries in their direction. They would lead them right into the alley and into the abandon apartment complex and up the stairs onto the third floor. They planned to separate the team from Kate with gun fire and two good hand grenades and smoke grenades that Blake and Foley had got together. From there it was all about timing, getting her from part of the building to next.

"They're about to turn the next corner." Said Michaels over the radio, he was a volunteer who was also a retired S.W.A.T specialist. Jim was glad to have him with them. He was a tall man of 6'5 blond hair that was receding, blue eyes; Jim imagined what he would have looked like without the extra weight but with his height he figured it was all muscle once.

Jim waited for second then saw across street that Foley was in position. "They're headed your direction." He said on the radio. Jim nodded up to him then turned around to the seven others behind him. "They're comin this way." He said and began walking across the street. He looked down the street. There she was. She saw him.

Kate

At first she wasn't sure who she was looking at until she saw his face. Jim. Son-of-a-bitch she muttered under her breath. Barsad, Micah, Riley and Conner all froze for a second. Jim had seven others with him. They grabbed Jim and ran him into the Alley.

"It's the Commissioner." Conner hissed from behind her. This was it; she couldn't just let him get away. Everything ran through her head. She remembered the family whose lives were in her hands. She had to take Jim. He should've stayed away.

"Conner Take Riley and Johan got back around the other side of the block to cut him off. NOW!" she ordered. Kate wrapped her AK47

Around her shoulder and grabbed her glock17 pilling the slide back. "Micah, Ivan and Arben go up ahead and around the other block. Barsad with me we'll follow him." She said as the others broke up and ran ahead of them.

Barsad turned the corner first, Shots went off. Kate ran for cover behind a knocked over trash bin and abandon car. She reached for her other glock17, she saw Barsad across from her taking cover in a door way with a dumpster a few feet ahead. She could see that he was taking the most fire. She figured they didn't know where she hid. She looked back at the dumpster, she could make it. The shots paused for a moment; they were reloading that was her chance. She jumped up and ran across to the dumpster. And got off a few shots, and then took cover as bullets zipped past her.

Barsad stepped out to get in a few shots. Kate peeked around the corner and saw Jim firing a few shots in their direction. When he saw her he stopped firing and a couple others stopped then ran into the building.

"They ran inside. Call Conner and Riley for back up. We're going after him." Kate shouted. Barsad nodded then went for the radio. She looked up, the alley was clear. Barsad had his rifle out then looked around. They both ran for the door. Barsad kicked it open. Kate went in first it was a narrow hallway. Barsad was behind her.

"We should wait for the others." He hissed and looked back in the alley, they hadn't arrived yet. Kate looked back. "I have to catch him before he gets away." She snapped then continued ahead. Barsad cursed then followed after her.

There were no other doors as they continued down the hall. Then they came to a four way, Kate glanced down the left. Clear. Barsad scanned to the right. "Clear." He said then they went forward until they heard the steps going up the stairs ahead of them. Kate ran down the hall ahead of Barsad. She could hear him shouting at her to wait. She ignored them and turned the corner to see the elevator and the access to the stairs across from it.

She opened the door and heard the footsteps further up she stepped forward and looked up to see that they were on the second flight ahead of her. She aimed her glock17 straight and let out a couple rounds. They didn't stop.

Barsad ran in and looked around. "They got off on the third floor." Kate said taking the first steps. "The others just got to the main door." He said but Kate kept climbing the stair case. Barsad followed after her.

She kept running up until she got to the second floor and someone came out the third floor door and popped off a few shots. Kate leaned against the wall for cover. Barsad did the same. They heard a few shots come from the bottom. "Hold fire, we're the second floor!" hissed Barsad over the radio. The firing stopped. They heard the door slam close.

"Let's go." Snapped Kate, Barsad grabbed her by the front of her vest and pushed her against the wall. "Don't you see it's a trap? They want us to follow!" shouted Barsad in her face. Kate kneed him in the thigh and slammed the palm of her right hand in his jaw. He went back a few steps. Kate took the second to run up to the third floor. She didn't bother to look behind her to see if Barsad was still there. She pushed the door open.

This floor and a lot of doors on both sides, she scanned around the hall. No sign of anyone. With her glock17 out in front of her she made a left turn. She heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw someone dash from one room to the next. She let off two warning shots then followed after him. She walked past the stair access again. She didn't know if Barsad was still there waiting for the others. As she reached the door she thought she saw the person run into. She heard another door open and smoke grenade went off. She dove into the room and closed the door behind her.

She pulled the scarf over her mouth and nose and looked around the room. It was an abandoned apartment. She scanned the living room and kitchen. From outside she heard a few shots fired then went for the front door again. Just as she grabbed the knob in her hand an explosion went off from the other side. She was blown back.

Her ears rang with and EEEEeeeeeeeeeee. She tried to pull herself up but she felt weak. Her head was spinning. She tried again to get up but it felt like someone was holding her down. She felt a pair of hands wrap around her under her arm pits. She was trying to fight but they dragged her into another room. Everything was still spinning around her. She heard more gun fire then another explosion. Everything went black.