Title: Desperate Measures
Chapter 7 – Fair Game

Without waiting for Greg or Stainton to say something else to him, Ed turns on his heel and heads for the other SUV, totally disregarding the two SIU officers who watch him turn and leave.

"Constable Lane!" Stainton calls after him with a gruff voice.

"Inspector give me…"

"You've had your time Parker; Constable Lane comes with us right now."

"Ed!" Greg hurries after him, Wordy in tow.

But Ed is too fast and jumps in the SUV and peels away, Stainton rushing up to Greg and demanding an explanation for the extreme breach in protocol.

"I'll have his bad…"

"Just let me call Holleran," Greg sighs. "He knows what's going on."

"There better be a damn good explanation for this Parker," Stainton glares.

"Copy…that," Greg sighs as he pulls his phone; looking over at Wordy and giving a nod with his head. Not needing any other motivation, Wordy hurries toward the other SUV and heads off after his best friend.

"Come on Donna…pick up," Ed chants over and over as he continues to hit redial, taking turns between the apartment phone and her cell number. "Please…damn it pick up," he groans in agitation as he weaves in and out of traffic, the red and blue sirens yelling at those before him to move or pay the price – there was nothing going to stop him now. "Move!"

Ed reaches their apartment and races for the front door, his mind reeling as he realizes he has no weapons and no backup. Maybe she's in the shower…for the last half hour? Forgoing the elevator, Ed sprints for the stairs, his fingers constantly hitting redial and trying to block out calls from Inspector Stainton and Greg.

Ed pulls open the door to their floor and pauses as he slowly enters, listening to the silence, his heart racing so fast his ear drums were about to burst. She better be okay. Ed slowly edges toward their apartment door, his fingers automatically reaching for his gun, flexing where the handle would normally be but then coming back empty and his fist tightening at his side.

But just as he nears their door, he notices the lock open and a slit of light coming through and once again he curses himself for not bringing his gun as backup. Ed gingerly pushes the door open, his panic and anxiety skyrocketing by the second.

"Donna?"

The door is pushed all the way open and his heart skips several beats as he takes in the scene before him, the apartment looks like a fight had taken place.

"Donna!" Ed calls out as he hurries into the apartment, his eyes darting around the messed up kitchen before he heads toward the bedroom. But just as he reaches the door, a firm hand rests on his shoulder, forcing him to turn around ready for a fight; his fist raised and ready to strike.

"Hey it's me! It's me!" Wordy quickly identifies himself.

"She's not here…damn it Wordy…she's not here," Ed utters in haste as he pushes past his best friend and hurries toward the living room. "Donna! She knew better."

"What?"

"She wasn't with anyone. Spike said she left alone. Damn it! She never should have been alone."

"She probably never…"

"Donna!" He calls as he finally spies Donna's purse and grabs it. "Phone…wallet…keys…" Ed's voice mumbles as he looks around in her purse.

"Her gun?"

"At the barn…I have a spare here but…" his voice trails off as he hurries into the bedroom and pulls out the small lock box to check if the spare gun was there. "It's still here…damn it Wordy she never got to it. I'm gonna kill Ida with my bare hands! I shouldn't have let her be alone! Why the hell was she alone!" Ed snaps in anger, his fist hitting the wall before he shakes his head and then heads for the spare bedroom. "I'm gonna kill Ida Logan," his voice dies out as he disappears from Wordy's view. "She wouldn't have gone willingly!" He calls out in anger.

"Ed…come here," Wordy calls out; bringing Ed rushing back toward the kitchen. "Is Donna allergic to anything?"

"Yes why?"

"Looks like she tried…"

"Blue cheese just a bit but…she's allergic…really allergic," Ed huffs as he looks at the piece of meat that had been cleverly brushed on the inside with the deadly cheese and then dusted with oil to mask the smell. "She…she would have known…unless…she couldn't tell…" Ed starts as he sniffs the meat. "Can't smell that pungent smell. She might not have known. Wordy she might not have known," Ed's heart sinks just as his phone suddenly rings, making both of them stop. Ed pulls his phone and looks at the number he doesn't recognize. "If they've…oh god is she's de…"

"See what they want first."

"That bitch wants me to watch her die!" Ed hisses as the phone continues to ring.

"Answer it," Wordy calmly instructs.

"Where is she!" Ed demands in anger.

"Ed…"

"Donna? Are you hurt? Where are yo…"

"Laundry…room…hurry," she manages weakly.

"Laundry!" Ed practically shouts as he turns and bolts for the door, Wordy hurrying after him, slamming the door shut along the way. Bounding down two steps at a time, Ed reaches the main level with his heart about to give way, his brain racing that his beloved wife was near death? Please god…let me get there in time.

XXXXXXXX

"You killed her?" Liam barks angrily as he storms into Ida's office in her secretive underground lair. "You had Cassandra killed?"

"She failed me, it was a pity you chose to fall in love with someone so weak."

"You gave her an unfa…"

"Unfair?" Ida looks at Liam with an arched silver brow. "You dare to call me unfair? She was given an assignment. Kill Mrs. Lane, not a very hard one as she had a damn open invitation right into her home! She failed."

"You never let her finish!"

"The landlord saw her you fool. There was blood on her and she had a damn gun! I wanted Mrs. Lane to be dead in her apartment when her husband arrived! Did that happen?"

"No but…"

"Correct it didn't happen; she failed and was paid accordingly."

"I say it's time to end this damn game and be done with both of them!"

"That is exactly what I was thinking."

"Here is where I think they'll be. We hit them here," Liam pulls out a map and places it on her desk. "They both die tonight."

XXXXXXXX

Ed and Wordy reach the locked laundry room door and spy the blood droplets on the handle and on the floor and Ed instantly feels his stomach lurch. "Donna!" Ed shouts as both he and Wordy bang on the door with their shoulders and then their feet until it finally opens, Ed rushing in first, frantically scanning the room until he sees her feet and heads toward them. He rounds the corner and stifles a small gasp at her weakened and overtly pale condition.

"Donna…" Ed manages as Donna's arm literally falls to the floor, no longer able to hold the borrowed gun up; her last defense giving way in the protective arms of her husband. "Wordy call 9-11 and tell them she's gone into anaphylactic sho…"

"I'm on it," Wordy replies as he quickly calls for the paramedics. Ed bends down, his ear to her lips before he quickly presses blows into her lips, her throat still constricting and life giving air not adequately reaching her lungs.

"She's not breathing! Donna…can you hear me?" Ed asks desperately, being rewarded with a small eye flutter. "Donna!" His commanding voice beckons a response.

"I called…" she tries with a painful wheeze.

"It's okay…I'm so sorry," Ed mumbles as he hands her gun to Wordy and gently cradles in her arms. "Just relax and try to breathe okay."

"Blue…cheese…didn't…know…"

"I know, it's gonna be…gonna be okay."

"Can't…ah…breathe," she wheezes as he quickly swallows some rising sorrow, his fingers feeling the rapidly growing warmth on her face and neck.

"Wordy!" Ed grumbles as he looks up in anxiety.

"They're coming," Wordy assures Ed again as he looks down as Ed carefully cradles Donna in his grasp.

"Stay with me okay?" Ed asks as her breathing starts to labor. "Donna!" He says loudly and her eyes flutter open. "Okay Donna…" he tries only to have her gasp and her eyes close once more. "No…no don't do this…baby you gotta open your eyes…please open your eyes," he begs in sorrow as he looks up at Wordy and then back down again. "You gotta stay with me…okay just stay with me."

But words were no longer able to form and breath was a priceless commodity as her fingers tightly grip the black fabric of his SRU uniform; she was literally dying in his arms.

"No Donna…you gotta stay with me okay…just try to breathe…please god let her try," Ed begs as he tries to give her another breath, praying her throat would open to at least allow even a small amount of oxygen into her chest.

A few moments later, he thankfully hears the sirens finally come to a stop just on the other side of the door, Wordy rushing to open it and Ed telling Donna that help had finally arrived.

"My wife…she's allergic to blue cheese…she can't breathe," Ed pleads as Wordy gently pulls him back and allows the two medics to get access to Donna. His stomach sick with tight knots, Ed can only stand helplessly back and watch as Donna's finally given a shot of epinephrine to open her airways and then some life giving oxygen delivered via hand pump into her gasping lungs.

She finally manages to fully open her watery eyes, trying to focus on Ed hovering over her with a panicked expression.

"Ed…" she manages with a thick swallow, Ed offering a silent prayer of thanks that she'd be okay.

"Okay Mrs. Lane you are gonna be just fine," one of the medics tells her as they fix an oxygen mask over her face. "Just take a few deep slow breaths."

"She's gonna be fine," Wordy assures Ed as he quickly calls Greg to let him know all that just transpired. "Ed…"

"I know I gotta go. Donna I gotta go deal with SIU but Wordy's gonna take you to the hospital and I'll be back…I promise as soon as I can. I'm so sorry but I'll be back as soon as I can," Ed assures her as he plants a tender kiss on her cheek. "I promise," he whispers as he pulls back and allows the medics to get her ready for transport. He turns and looks at Wordy with a deep frown, his own eyes rimmed with salty brine.

"She's gonna be okay. Go and get that over with," Wordy tells him in a low tone. "I'll stay with her until you get back. I give you my word I won't leave her side."

Ed can only nod and then give Donna one more kiss on the forehead before uttering an angry curse and storming for the door, desperately wanting to get SIU over and done with and then get back to Donna and get her side of what led up to her nearly dying. A few minutes longer…a few…and she would have been dead, his brain ponders as he calls Greg en route to the SIU briefing.

"Boss I want Spike to…"

"He's on it my friend. Holleran already talked to Stainton and you've earned a reprieve this time. How is she?"

"I almost lost her…boss she nearly died in my…arms. If I had been…any later she'd be gone," Ed's voice chokes up as he quickly bats his eyes to keep fluid emotion at bay; heading into SIU in a weepy condition wasn't something he was looking forward to.

"Okay just take a deep breath and focus. You only have to give your side of the incident, you know the drill. Focus and get this done. Holleran has talked to Stainton and its all okay."

Thankfully when he gets there he is spared the third degree personal interrogation by Stainton as Greg had promised and was just able to get all the call facts out of the way, sign his share of the transcript details and then take his leave.

"You okay?" Greg greets Ed outside immediately following the SIU hearing.

"I know that look…"

"Not to alarm you but something's happened with…"

"Is Donna okay? Greg, did she take a turn for the wor…"

"She's fine, but they found Judge Ian Farnsworth's body about an hour ago along with two as of yet unidentified men who we believe were his aids planted and paid for by Ida Logan."

"Get me their pictures. I wanna know if these were the guys who attacked Donna or someone else," Ed instructs as he tries to move past.

"Eddie," Greg stops him. "Donna's alive and that means Ida failed again – she won't let another attempt pass her by."

"What are you saying boss?"

"I think it's time you two consider protective custody until…"

"Just get me the damn pictures," Ed interrupts as he pushes past Greg and rushes back outside.

"Ed!" Greg calls to him as he follows, making Ed stop just before the waiting SUV.

"I won't let some mob mistress dictate my damn life!" Ed hisses in anger.

"What about Donna's life? Your new life together? The team? My friend, this is now all out war. She's taken a stab at both of you and failed – she won't fail next time. No more games…no more veiled attempts. She's going to come for you both head on to end this. And when she does it will be quick, precise but bloody. That's her MO."

"Then let's end this tonight!" Ed growls before he gets into the SUV and peels away; Greg instantly on the phone.

"Sam…get Jules and lets meet at the hospital; Spike's okay at the barn but I'll call him and Tom."

"Boss what happened? Is Donna okay?"

As Ed heads for the hospital, his mind reels with the new information. Judge Farnsworth had outlived his usefulness, even if the attack on Donna had been successful, another visit from his office would have been caught and that end dealt with. But he failed today, either by choosing the wrong men or by simply cashing the wrong cheque; and Ida showed him just how much fury she still has. Now with Farnsworth dead, there were no other insiders for her to use – it was coming down to the wire and Greg knows that, hence the fair warning. "I know boss…I know," Ed sighs as he reaches the parking lot and hurries into the ER.

He sees Wordy waiting outside, standing up as he nears.

"How is she?"

"She's gonna be okay. We got there in time. I'll be outside," Wordy replies as he pats Ed on the back, allowing Ed to pass in through the closed curtain to where Donna is being treated.

"Hey," she greets Ed with a soft voice.

Ed's heart breaks instantly as he looks at her pale complexion, the oxygen tubing in her nose and the IV hooked up to her arm. "Hey," he replies as he leans in and kisses her cheek, his hand instantly taking hers to hold. "I'm so sorry I didn't answer the phone…we were in a call…" his voice trails off until the hand he's holding squeezes his and he stops. "Why didn't you have backup?"

"Didn't think…I'm sorry to. But I'm okay now. Just a scare. I'm going home tonight."

"Don't you think you should…"

"I'm going home tonight," she insists.

"Donna…"

"Ed I'm fine…tired and…a bit sore," she starts only to have his fingers rest on a small bump on her forehead; trailing down to the bruise on her cheek. "Well I wasn't going down willingly."

"What happened?" Ed dares to ask, not knowing that outside team one and team three were now gathering to formulate a plan to defend their two friends and team members against Ida Logan's wrath.

"I got the fax right…damn it Ed I didn't even look at the judge's name on the paper, figured it was all okay. That's why no backup," Donna sighs as she closes her eyes to recall the moments she got home to the moments leading up until now.

Donna sends Ed the text, tells Tom, goes in search of Spike and then heads for home, her mind going over the last minute details she had to do – such as put up the pictures and put a few dishes away from breakfast.

"I got home, I put up the pictures…Ed they destroyed…them."

"Hey it's okay, okay?" He utters with a heavy frown and soft tone. "Spike has extra's."

Donna checked the clock to see the time, wanting to make sure that if Ed was late she could make up a plausible excuse that they would believe. She turned on the TV and then sent him another text that they were on their way. Heading to the kitchen she made some coffee and tea just in case and the opened the fridge to put out a plate of – something.

About ten minutes later a knock was heard on the door and she takes a deep breath and goes to open it.

'Mrs. Lane?'

'Hi, yes come in. I'm not sure if you saw the news but my husband has…well been detained.'

'So he's not here then?'

'He's running late but he'll be here; he knows how important this is. But as you can see, he does have a legitimate excuse and we hope that will factor. Want to come in?'

"It was a man and a woman."

"A woman?" Ed asks with a frown.

"Never saw either of them before and neither spoke with an Irish accent so figured there was nothing to worry about. The lady had brought a small welcome basket of stuff that looked…" her voice pauses as her expression turns cross. "Normal. I guess I never learned from the poisoned apple to Snow White," she grumbles. "I should have known Ed…I should have known."

"Yeah just like I should have known not to rush into that building," Ed groans as she turns her watery blue eyes and looks up at him, their hands still clasped. "It's not your fault and I'm not gonna say I told you so," he slightly smirks and her facial expression softens. "She's devious and played to our weaknesses. Go on."

"I started to put out the basket of stuff while the two of them looked around the apartment. Nothing out of the ordinary right…in fact I was so focused on if they'd find the stuff in the um…well my drawer that I just started to sample the items in the basket. That…woman knew my allergies…damn it Ed, she knows everything about us!" Donna seethes as one of her monitors starts to beep loudly. "Oh shut up," she curses the machine, drawing a small amused glance from her husband.

"Then just as the phone rings, I go to answer it…" her voice trails off as she recalls what happened next.

Donna heads for the phone, having already taken a bite of the cleverly disguised poison. Just as she reaches the phone she looks up to see the two of them huddled together at the end of the hallway before the master bedroom, one of them pulling a gun. Without wasting a second, she turns and rushes for her purse, where her phone was.

But her body was already starting to feel the deadly effects of the poison in her system; her vision going fuzzy for a few split seconds. Just as her hand reaches her phone, she's tackled from behind by the man, phone sent flying, the two of them slamming to the floor.

"He was on top of me…" she pauses to take a breath, Ed's fingers automatically tightening around hers and then quickly pulling back, his brain scolding his strength for daring to hurt her. "I fought back…but that stuff…I could feel myself starting to slow down…I was scared. I'm sorry Ed…"

"Why are you saying sorry?"

"I hate to be scared or to admit it."

"I'm scared right now," Ed whispers as he leans in and plants another tender kiss on her flushed forehead.

"I managed to elbow him in the eye, he pulled back…but I got him."

'Ahh!' The man screamed as his own gun, with a silencer on it starts to loosen in his grasp. Donna grabbed the foreign weapon and without waiting fires at the man, hitting him in the chest. The woman stepped in, grabbing her by the arm of her sweater and trying to pull her back, the man's useless body slumped on the floor.

"When I got there…he was gone," Ed admits.

"I think there were more outside and took the bodies," Donna sighs.

"Her and I fought…she got in a few good ones," she frowns as she touches the tender part of her cheekbone. "But she knew I was getting weaker. I think I fired at her also. I was on my feet…I knew I had to get out of there. It all happened so fast, but the next thing I knew I was on top of her, hitting her before I grabbed her phone and managed to make it to the doorway. My heart was racing so fast…gosh I'm shocked I made it to the elevator."

Donna watched as the woman raced from the apartment with her gun raised, glaring at Donna just as the doors closed her away from view. 'Hurry,' Donna managed painfully as her fingers try to grasp the stainless steel side rail to keep from collapsing to the ground.

"I made it to the basement…now I'm glad I gave myself a self-guided tour. I heard her coming down the stairwell just as I tried to make it to the backdoor exit. It was blocked – no way out. Then I headed for the laundry room and locked the door. I literally collapsed in the corner…I couldn't breathe Ed…couldn't see…I was…"

"Donna I'm so sorry," Ed whispers, his mind racing as he tries to picture all that she had just endured.

"But she wasn't taking me without a fight so I readied myself. I heard her banging and then…I heard someone else calling out to her and all was quiet. I don't know who it was so didn't identify myself. I couldn't move…couldn't walk…couldn't see…couldn't breathe very well. I waited but…but it wasn't long until I heard the sirens and then…then I called you…and when I heard your voice…" she stops as two tears escape the corners of her eyes at the same time and run down her flushed cheeks, Ed's fingers too slow to brush away both, only getting one. "I knew I was safe when I heard your voice."

"I would have come sooner but…" Ed starts only to have her push a soft finger against his lips to stop him.

"You're here now and we're safe."

"But we're not safe," Ed reminds her with a heavy frown as the doctor finally comes in.

"Well Mrs. Lane you are very fortunate, we managed to flush most of the toxins from your system. You'll need lots of rest and to really hydrate yourself for the next twenty-four hours but you can go home and just rest."

"Thank you doctor," Ed replies as he takes the small handout for Donna as the doctor unhooks the IV hydration tubing. Ed wraps his arms around Donna's slightly shivering frame and holds her close for a few moments before helping her with her coat.

"Guess no dinner tonight, sorry," Ed's lips gently nuzzle her ear, sending warm shivers down her tired spine.

"You're not pulling out are you?" She asks with a small smile.

"Nope, just a postponement. Is that okay?"

"I'll hold you to it."

"Okay," he whispers.

"You two okay in here?" Greg pops his head in just before they exit.

"Yeah boss," Ed answers with a nod. "We're okay."

"Just another close call," Donna frowns. "Any word on Ida?"

"Only the death of Farnsworth and a few others. Did Ed show you the pictures?"

"Yeah one of them was with the woman…any word on her?"

"No, but am sure if she's failed, she's also just waiting to be found somewhere in a shallow grave."

"This has to end," Donna groans.

"She's thinking the same thing," Greg reminds them.

"Greg's right…she's failed at each major attempt to kill us…she played to each of our weaknesses and now…"

"Now she'll just want a direct frontal assault," Donna ponders.

"That's why we…" Greg starts.

"Boss I say we bring it on and end this," Ed states with a heavy frown. "If her plan is to call either of us out…"

"We're not going to set a trap with either of you as bait because she'll know that," Greg insists. "Now I think she already has men staked out at either apartment waiting. She doesn't care now who gets in the way she just wants this to end and I won't take that chance with your lives or any of the teams. We need a battle ground that gives us the upper hand."

"You're thinking the barn?" Ed dares to inquire.

"We'll make our last stand there," Greg tells them as Wordy enters and stands behind his boss.

"She's not gonna send men to storm the barn, she knows we'll be waiting with weapons."

"She can't afford to sit on this much longer and she knows it. The noose around her after this botched attempt will tighten and she's never lost a battle yet – in her mind. She'll see this through and then get on the plane bound for Belfast. Spike was able to find that out. A special undercover team has been sent to the airport to wait, but I'm willing to bet she'll see this through personally."

XXXXXXXX

Alone in her dimly lit office, Ida looks at the detailed plans that Liam had laid out for her; he was the last one to carry out her instructions, but what he didn't know was that she has another plan of her own – one that includes his instant death should he fail.

She picks up a picture that she had taped together of Ed and Donna and offers them a small snarl, her free hand reaching for the phone.

"Are we all set?"

"They're going to do just as you predicted."

"You know who I want and where I want them…this ends tonight."

"I'll make it happen."

"Mickey, don't fail me."

"I won't. I'm inside right now and they have no idea what awaits them."

XXXXXXXX

"Fine, we'll head to the barn to wait," Ed utters as he turns and looks at Donna.

"At least we'll have weapons and backup."

"Meet you outside."

Greg and Wordy take their leave, Ed and Donna left in the small space once again.

"So it all comes down to this," Donna utters with a small groan.

"I won't let her hurt you," Ed says seriously as he nears her, his fingers touching the small bruise on her cheek and coming back with a frown. "I won't."

"Well I won't let anything happen to you," Donna retorts firmly. "Remember I have dealt with these people and know exactly what kind of torture she's capable of."

"She won't have the chance. Donna when she comes to the barn, her one mission will be to get you and end this."

"Or to kidnap you and make you suffer before calling me out, trust me I know what she's…"

"I think you should consider…"

"We face this together and that's final."

"Donna…"

"Seriously Ed don't lecture me right now. I'm here because of her and if you think I'm just gonna go hide and let you fight this battle for me but without me you're wrong."

"Okay I get you're angry and you have every right and so am I. But…" he stops and softly curses. "When I found you…in that room and when you weren't breathing…she can't win…I won't let her win."

"I have just as much to lose as you. Don't you get that? I've seen pictures…of what she's done to loved ones to make a point. I can't think of her doing something like that to you," Donna reminds him with a firm hand squeeze. "She's coming after both of us…yes she wants me but she's not gonna just stop there. So you can't tell me this is a one sided battle."

"I still think you should get to a safe house…"

"We…"

"Damn it Donna, listen to me."

"Only if you listen to me! You can't just tell me what to do and expect me to listen and you not."

"Why not?" Ed replies, his brain emotionally overheating as he replays her nearly dying in his arms over and over again.

"You know I outrank you," she shoots back, not really thinking.

"I'm your husband."

"On paper only!" Donna fires back and then stops, both of them staring at each other in stunned silence.

A/N: Dang words spoken in the heat of the moment! So Ida's of course angry and wanting her revenge. Will she get it? How will the showdown at the barn go? Will the SRU come out unscathed? Will Donna's words come back to haunt her? Will the tension between them be resolved? Or after all this will they go back to the way it was before? I hope you are all still with me. So please review before you go and thanks so much in advance!