Sorry for the delay real life has been busy. For the reviewer who asked for Valerie's thought's on Simon Says here you go. :)

Title: Date
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Valerie/John
spoilers: all

Waking up alone in a hospital room was a bad enough day. What made it so much worse for Valerie were the unknowns. The memories came flooding back as her breathing returned to normal. The stake out, warehouse, gunshots. Had John been hurt too? Was that why he wasn't here? Desperately needing answers Valerie hit the signal button on the right side of the bed. It hadn't been necessary the nurses had been monitoring her at their station down the hall and knew the instant she regained consciousness. A brown haired woman in her thirties stepped into the room with a smile and holding a small computer pad.

"We're glad to see you're awake, Detective."The nurse stated as she walked farther into the room. "I'll take your vitals and then the doctor will..."

"Was anyone else injured?"Valerie demanded interrupting.

The nurse shook her head. "You were brought in alone. There was one deceased at the scene who was taken to the morgue."

Bile rose in Valerie's throat and she swallowed it with effort. She knew she was reacting like a worried girlfriend than a police officer but she didn't care. What she kept thinking about was a few weeks earlier watching John on the video screen try to defuse the bomb that was around his neck. How helpless she felt that she couldn't do more; couldn't be there when he needed her. It'd been a miracle that Doiran had enough power left to get the bomber just as John was succeeding in freeing himself from the explosive. It'd been the most nerve racking thing Valerie had experienced since she'd been kidnapped. It'd been awful to be powerless at the hands of killers but it'd been so much worse to watch somebody you cared about fight to survive. Danger was part of the job they all knew it, understood fought to keep her hands from shaking of something had happened to John that she would've been able to prevent she'd never forgive herself.

The nurse smiled kindly and touched Valerie's left arm. "The deceased was not a police officer."

Relief washed over Valerie and she sank back against the pillows. The nurse bustled around her and Valerie heard her tapping on the computer but she paid no attention. John was okay that was all that mattered. Valerie smiled wondering when John's welfare had become so important. She just knew she liked having John in her life and she'd do everything she could to keep him safe.

"Detective Stahl's hospital record is updated."Dorian reported breaking the silence of the car he and John were riding in. "She's awake and alert. All vitals normal."

John allowed himself to release a long breath as relief washed over him. He knew she'd be fine. Still not being there when she woke up. Not seeing for himself. Having Dorian keep track was the next best thing.

"Good."John replied more curtly than he intended.

Dorian raised an eyebrow but whatever response was cut off by Paul's incoming radio call.

"Kennex, drone says the shooter's stopped."Paul stated. "Five blocks north of your location. Sending Dorian the coordinates. We're right behind you."

"Got it."Dorian confirmed.

"Let's end this."John ordered as he floored the accelerator.

The map on the console illuminated with the coordinates Dorian gave it wirelessly. John forced himself to relax his grip on the wheel. Anger surged through him. John wanted to hurt the man who had caused Valerie pain. Who had put her in danger. He would make sure the man didn't put anyone in harm's way again.

"You okay?"Dorian asked.

John almost ignored him. However, he'd gotten used to the android's attempt at friendship. Days like today John appreciated it. Not that he'd admit it. He didn't have a lot of people in his life that gave a damn. Valerie was one and he'd almost lost her today.

"I will be when we get this asshole."John replied as he took the car into a tight right turn.

Dorian nodded and glanced at the road. "Two blocks building on the left midway; used to be a retail store."

They approached the abandoned store in silence; no sirens. Either the shooter was watching or had a sixth sense either way he was already half way to the back door by the time Dorian kicked in the front. John ran in followed close behind by Paul and his partner.

"He's trying to get the back door open."Dorian reported quietly. "He doesn't realize it's blocked by part of the wall that's decayed."

"Lucky for us."Paul commented as he motioned for his android partner to go around the left side of the floor.

"He is alone."Dorian confirmed as he jumped over a few broken toppled metal shelves.

"Even better."John grunted as he hurried forward.

"Freeze, police!"Kennex shouted once they were in earshot.

The young man with blond spiky hair whirled around gun raised.

"Drop the gun."Dorian urged as he stepped forward.

The youth fired off a shot that went wild and hit a box behind Dorian. John surged forward and slammed the younger man up against the metal door. The youth immediately dropped his weapon but John didn't put his away. He slammed it once against the shooter's skull.

"You like to shoot at cops, huh?"John growled as he pressed his left forearm against the youth's throat.

Paul placed a hand on Kennex's right shoulder. "John, we got him. He's had enough."

All John could see was Valerie's still form. Not knowing how badly she was hurt. Not knowing if he'd see her smile again. This kid may just be hired labor but he worked for the people they were staking out. The people who took advantage of those who were desperate to live. Who just wanted to spend a few more hours with people they loved. This idiot may have just seen it as a paycheck but it was the lowest kind of low to John. He applied more pressure to the youth's throat and aimed his gun at the kid's head. Suddenly John found himself airborne sailing into a pile of rotten cardboard boxes ten feet behind them. He blinked then glared at Dorian and scrambled to his feet. The shooter had collapsed in a boneless heap gasping for air. Dorian blocked John's path.

"We need the information he has."Dorian reasoned.

Still furious John took a step around his partner but the android easily anticipated the move and stopped him.

"Detective Stahl would not want you to end your career for her."Dorian pointed out quietly.

John glared at his partner then at the shooter. He hated to admit it but Dorian was right. Maldonado had gone to bat for him. She'd looked the other way several times when other supervisors would've fired him or booted him down to a beat cop. A dead suspect Maldonado wouldn't be able to ignore. Turning on his heel John stormed out of the abandoned store leaving Paul and Dorian to handle the mess.