What Could Have Been
By Mistreated and Forgotten
Summary: [Josh and Grace] Another what if Grace didn't die.
Spoilers: None.
Pairings: Josh and Grace.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rush or any of the characters and if I did the one who died in Episode 11 would've been different.
A/N: Chapter 4 for all. : )
What Could Have Been – Mistreated and Forgotten
Chapter Four
Previously:
Over at the car the others were watching the exchange happening between Lawson and Dale.
"Dale," whispered Grace.
"Do you know that man?" asked Kerry.
"Yeah, he's my cousin's husband."
On with the story:
"Are you sure?" asked Josh, stepping slightly closer to Grace.
"Yes, but I didn't know that they were living here now."
"Gracie you know I can't let you be involved on this one," said Kerry.
"I know, I'll just stay here at the cars."
"I want you to go back to base. Stella take Grace back then come back here."
Stella walked off towards one of the cars but Grace made no move to do so.
"No, if Jeanie is in there she might need to see a familiar face when she comes out."
"So Jeanie is your cousin?" asked Kerry.
"Yep," replied Grace while slowly nodding her head.
"Don't worry Grace, we'll get her out of there," comforted Josh.
The team silently watched on as Lawson continued on trying to negotiate with Dale, that was until dale slammed the door shut when he was getting angry with Lawson.
Lawson walked back over to the rest of the team.
"Lawson we have information on who our perp is."
"Yeah, what is it Kerry?"
"His name's Dale and his wife who he probably has inside with him his Jeanie."
"How do we know this, I didn't hear anything over the radio from Leon?"
"Jeanie is my cousin."
"Hey guys, the owner of the house is a one Dale Hutchinson," said Leon over the radio.
"You're a little bit late on that one, tell us something we don't know," replied Kerry.
"Well okay, there's been five domestic violence reports within the last three weeks. Turns out the creep is a woman basher."
"Hey Leon, keep your smart ass comments to yourself."
"But then I'm boring."
Grace turned away from everyone and walked around behind one of the cars, the one that was furthest away from the rest of the team.
"I'll go talk to Grace," said Josh.
Stella who had been quiet the last five minutes rolled her eyes as Josh walked off.
What Could Have Been – Mistreated and Forgotten
Dale pulled his mobile out of his pocket and dialled a number.
"Hey Bob, I'm in trouble mate."
"What have you done Dale?" asked Bob a little frustrated.
"I've got my wife and a couple of her friends locked up in the house and the cops are here, oh and I have a gun."
"Now Dale shoot one of them, not to kill them just to get the cops attention."
"I can't do that."
"I didn't mean one of the cops I mean one of your hostages."
"I know what you meant but I still can't do that."
Dale was now getting more anxious as his conversation with Bob continued.
"Shoot one of them and when the cops make contact again tell them you shoot one of them."
"I don't want to do that, I don't think I'm capable of killing a cop."
"Well at least act like you're willing to kill one of them."
What Could Have Been – Mistreated and Forgotten
Grace leant against the car, she pulled her radio out from her ear, took a deep breath to calm herself down and put her head in her hands.
Josh walked up to Grace he didn't say anything he let her talk first when she was ready.
Grace knew it was Josh and not one of the others who was standing in front of her. Not because she just knew but because of his scent was oh so familiar to Grace.
Grace looked up from her hands and looked at Josh, "I can't believe she didn't tell me he had been hurting her. Me and Jeanie have always been close."
"Maybe she was too embarrassed to tell anyone, not even you."
"I guess you're right, I didn't want to tell Lawson but he guessed that it was Connor who hit me."
The pair were quiet for a few moments before Josh asked "Do you want a hug?"
Grace nodded her head in reply, grateful of his offer.
Josh stepped closer to Grace and pulled her into his arms.
Stella walked around the car.
"Sorry to break up your little lovey dovey moment but Kerry's ordering us to put bullet proof vests on," said Stella.
"Yeah just give us a minute," replied Josh.
"So how'd you get that bruise Grace?"
"That is really none of your business Stella," replied Grace starting to get a little annoyed with Stella.
"Okay, sheesh it was only a question."
Stella walked off, leaving Josh and Grace to themselves.
"I hope Jeanie's alright in there."
"If she's as strong as you I think she'll be alright in there."
Grace gave Josh a peck on the lips before walking off to join the others around out the front of the cars.
What Could Have Been – Mistreated and Forgotten
After putting his bullet proof vest on Lawson was back up at the door continuing to negotiate with dale.
"Don't you think you've been in there long enough, that it's time to come outside and get this over with so we can all move on?"
"Someone's gonna die today, might me you, could be my wife or perhaps one of her friends, I don't know who it'll be."
"You're not the type of person who would kill someone."
"You know the more you keep negotiating the more likely you are to be the one who dies today."
Dale picked his gun up off the table behind the door, where he had again put it before opening the door.
The rest of the team watched on with growing concern for their fellow team member.
"Lawson get out of there," said Kerry into her radio.
"Dale, I'm going to slowly walk back to the rest of my team."
"Walking off isn't going to change the fact that someone is going to die today," Dale called out as Lawson walked off towards the cars and his team.
What Could Have Been – Mistreated and Forgotten
Jeanie had been quietly talking with her friends while Dale was at the door talking to Lawson, they were starting to get a little worried about what Dale was going to do with the gun.
"Do you reckon he'll use it?"
"No I don't think he will Sam, he doesn't have the confidence to use it in this way."
"Are you really sure he won't use it? I've seen on TV shows where the bad guy seems like he won't use it but does in the end."
"Sam come on this is reality not some TV show," said the other friend.
"Emma's right this isn't TV."
They heard the door shut so they stopped talking just moments before Dale walked back into the room.
"I told the cop that I would shoot someone today, I told him it could have been him or one of you three."
Sam looked at Jeanie with a I-told-you-so look on her face.
An eerie silence fell over the room while Dale thought over his next move.
He was still thinking over the next move when his mobile rang, he didn't look to see who was calling he just answered.
"Bob?"
"Nope not Bob just Senior Sergeant Blake."
"Not coming to talk at the door I see, probably a good idea seeing as I was really close to blowing your brains out."
What Could Have Been – Mistreated and Forgotten
Outside tension was filling the atmosphere.
"I guess I want to live for another day. I want to know if your hostages are okay."
"Yeah they're all okay but one of them won't be soon."
"You won't kill one of them, you don't have it in you."
"Don't be so sure of yourself Senior Sergeant."
"I'm pretty sure I'm right…"
Lawson was cut off by a gunshot right before the line went dead followed by a shrill scream.
Grace's body tensed up, her eyes wide and panic filled.
"Oh god."
A/N: I'm evil aren't I you'll just have to wait and find out just who dies.
