AN: So this took a little longer than I expected and for that, I apologize. But as I mentioned at the end of chapter three, I came to the horrible realization the ending I wrote was a little rushed. I was fine with it before, so when I decided it wasn't quite right, I was devastated but.. you do what you have to. But just know, I definitely have not given up on the story and I won't. Amongst the terribly busy life at a college prep highschool, I'm still working hard. But I don't plan to change too much, so it hopefully won't take a whole long time.
Warning: Same as always. I think like, two curse words at most. Then, a little violence. Finally, I tried very hard to investigate hostage situations, but that can only take you so far. I hope what I have is believable, but forgive me if its not. Thanks a lot to my beta for bringing this issue to my attention.
Thanks: To all who commented and as always, my wonferful beta, sandgnat10.
In the Arms of Angels - Part IV
Darkness had settled in about an hour ago, leaving the diner tinted in an eerie blue. Steve had insisted that most of the lights stayed off, so on top of the whole situation just sucking, he now had to reassure Madison in the dark. Although, she seemed to be okay now.
The silence in the diner had long since been broken. The phone rang periodically, about every fifteen minutes or so but remained unanswered. Steve had also insisted on letting the others outside the diner sit and marinate over what could be happening in the diner.
In addition to the phone and Steve's henchmen, who Sheppard had dubbed as Berry and Elton, and their noisy conversations, Madison had also loosened up and become quite loquacious. She was currently sitting cross-legged directly in front of Sheppard, coloring a menu and telling Sheppard the story of the tortoise and the hare. He liked this better, though. She was much calmer and basically entertaining herself, which in turn, calmed him. He would look up at Steve every so often usually to find him listening to Madison or just watching her, almost dreamily. In fact, Sheppard was pretty sure he was putting together Steve's reason for attacking the diner.
"So the turtle won after all?" asked Sheppard, sounding as surprised as he could. Madison nodded and smiled widely and Sheppard shrugged. "Well, you know what they say, slow and steady wins the race." But it seemed to go right over her head.
She was drawing something that looked like a house, probably her own, and was rocking her head from side to side, as if listening to music that only she could hear. In that moment, Sheppard envied her naivety, wishing he, too, could forget what was happening around him and disappear into a coloring book. Or menu, in this case.
"Why don't he answer the phone?" Madison asked, not even looking up from her drawing.
"Don't know," Sheppard answered, directing his eyes to Steve.
"Not time yet," Steve said simply.
Sheppard huffed and tried to keep his voice as calm as possible to hide his true irritation. "And exactly when will you be ready?"
Steve shrugged and diverted his eyes to the people gathered outside the diner, "When I think they are."
Sheppard forced himself to bite his tongue. Oh, what he would have done already had he been alone. He quickly turned back to Madison, still innocently coloring away, to remind himself of why he had to be so submissive.
"Hey Doc," Berry said from his barstool, "someone's coming over."
Sheppard whipped his head around to see, and sure enough, he saw the unmistakable outline of General O'Neill making his way towards the door. What the hell was he thinking? He was about as much of a negotiator as McKay was. It was a wonder that O'Neill was even at the SGC because he had been promoted a long time ago. Though, in Landry's temporary absence, the General had been sent in to handle the SGC.
Berry and Elton were suddenly on their feet, their guns pointed at the entrance of the diner. Steve also stood, though his gun stayed positioned on Sheppard.
"Hey!" came the General's muffled voice through the wooden door. "Its General Jack O'Neill. I just want to talk. Make sure everything's okay," he paused, allowing the words to sink in. "Mind if I join you?"
"Is anyone with you?"
"No."
"You are unarmed?"
"Yes," O'Neill replied slowly.
"Open the door slowly. Step inside then close the door. Keep your hands in the air."
Berry and Elton looked to Steve for some kind of guidance, but he offered them none; just glanced back and forth from Sheppard to the door. Sheppard turned his head now to see the door, as well, after making sure Madison was still coloring, and saw it slowly open. The first sign of the General was his hands, both empty, then came the rest of him. He slipped in and closed the door behind him, his hands staying loosely in the air at all times.
"Hi there," he greeted Steve and the others, then looked down to Sheppard. "Colonel."
"Sir," Sheppard replied, sounding as official as he could, though he knew it was a lame attempt.
"Couldn't stand waiting, could you?" Steve asked, sounding thoroughly amused.
"Not my strong point, no." O'Neill took a step closer, but halted quickly when the henchmen cocked their guns threateningly. "Like I said, I just want to talk and see about getting the Colonel and Miss Miller out as safe and as soon as possible."
"Patience is a virtue," Elton muttered, coolly, earning a heated look from Steve.
"Making the government wait never works out too well," O'Neill replied. "And we have been waiting. The big guys are getting a little restless out there, if you know what I mean." And Sheppard did. They were probably losing their minds knowing that a man with so much classified information was being held at gunpoint. But, they obviously didn't know Sheppard very well.
Steve barked out a laugh. "So they thought they'd send in a General?"
"No, that was my idea," O'Neill said.
"And I was just about to comment on the stupidity of it," Steve said, closing the distance between himself and Sheppard. Before Sheppard had the time to anticipate it, the butt of a gun collided with his already damaged head.
White, hot pain burst through his head and the world temporarily disappeared. John was aware of shouting and the scream of a small girl, but it took a minute to recover. When he did, he found it hard to focus his eyesight or stay sitting up. He swayed a lot as the world tilted this way and that, and finally he ended up sprawled out on the ground. All the while, the General and Steve had a heated conversation he just couldn't understand. But, more apparent than that, he saw the round eyes of a little girl, inches from his own, muttering something he couldn't make out. Then he was aware of her gently rubbing the uninjured part of his head, and found it surprisingly soothing.
"Shhh," Madison cooed in her little voice, her words finally penetrating the buzzing in his ears. "I'll be your nurse, I'll take good care of you," Madison said as if she were talking to one of her baby dolls.
He smiled at the fact that she was still too young to pronounce every word correctly, but he got the message and appreciated it all the same. And here he thought he was supposed to be caring for her.
"The more you do stupid things like that," the General yelled, "the worse it will be for you!"
"And the more you do stupid shit like this," Steve fired back, "the worse it will get from them. So listen up, General I call the shots around here. Not you, or anyone else. I've already strayed from my original plan because I listened to the good Colonel here, and I haven't been disappointed so far. But he's learned to take my orders, and you better learn the same. I know your kind aren't too worried about losing your own lives; but there's a little girl in here now, and the minute I feel out of control, they both die, along with whoever else I can take down," he finished, then smiled as another thought occurred to him.
"Better yet, I'll torture the girl until he breaks and tells me everything I want to know."
Sheppard heard it all; heard Steve's forceful tone and the General's lack of response. He knew exactly how the General was feeling, knowing that everything was much harder with Madison involved. What killed Sheppard the most was he wasn't sure he would, or could, stay strong if Madison was used against him. He would probably make something up, but in all honestly he really just didn't know what he would do if it came to that.
The yelling had apparently scared Madison too, because she had abandoned her efforts of doctoring Sheppard, and was now curled up on the floor beside him. He put forth the effort to wrap his arm around her and give her as much comfort as he possibly could. The good news was, the world was straightening up and he was hoping to be able to sit up soon. But right now, that wasn't an option.
"Okay, okay," O'Neill reasoned, sounding utterly defeated. "I'll go. But if you pull that again, we will be forced to act and simply hope for the best. We're willing to negotiate, but you've got to talk to us first."
Steve made no movements or attempts to talk.
"Colonel Sheppard needs medical attention. Can I send in a medic?" Sheppard heard O'Neill ask.
"No, he's fine. I'm hoping we won't be in here too much longer anyway." Well, there was some hope. Not a promise of safety, but a step in the general direction, and that was good enough for the moment.
O'Neill was now making his way back out the door, guns still trained on his back. Once he was gone, Berry and Elton relaxed and eventually went back to their conversation. Sheppard, feeling too vulnerable on the ground with O'Neill gone, pushed himself up with great effort and pain. He was vaguely aware of getting some help from a pair of tiny hands, and made a mental note to give Madison a big hug later.
"Sorry it came to that," Steve said after Sheppard had been sitting for a good two minutes. "But it had to happen, and it was either you or the girl."
Sheppard sighed. "Well, thanks for that," he slurred genuinely. He figured there would have to be some bloodletting at some point or other, and now that the only options were himself and Madison, he was thankful she went untouched. Steve just sighed and nodded.
"I told you, I don't want to hurt her," he said, gesturing at Madison, who was once again curled up in Sheppard's lap. Sheppard nodded, not wanting to risk opening his mouth and giving in to the urge to throw up his long awaited sirloin steak. He was pretty sure he had a concussion now, or very close to one, at least. He had to stay focused for Madison, and that's exactly what he planned to do. But the fact was, he was hurting all over, especially his chest. It was probably just bruised from the kicks he sustained, but it hurt to breath and that was never a good sign.
Buck up, Sheppard, he told himself again. Now's not the time.
"You're good with kids," Steve said suddenly, pulling Sheppard from his thoughts, "but not good enough to have any of your own."
Sheppard thought about this; what Steve had said and its implications. It only furthered his belief that his theory on Steve's motives were right. And now, thanks to the head injury, he was finding it harder and harder to filter his words.
"So what was it?" John slurred. "Lose your kid in battle?" He spoke as softly as he could, knowing that if he was right, the subject would be a sensitive one and could warrant some aggression if not handled correctly. Sheppard suddenly noticed the look of loss and despair covering the man's scarred face, and knew he had been right. The good news was, Steve didn't seem angry. Not yet, anyways.
"I am hoping to find that out, Colonel," he replied in an intentionally emotionless tone. He got up at that moment, and much to Sheppard's relief, picked up the phone.
"Fine so far," he said into the phone after a moment. "What do I want? Very simple, General. I want answers." He paused again, allowing General O'Neill to speak. "My kid. Dana Marlow. Can't find a… damn thing about her. I'm going to give you exactly twenty minutes to give me a satisfactory explanation as to where she is and what has happened to her," he barked, then slammed the phone down.
Dana Marlow? Sheppard knew that name. She had been under his command for almost four years, after all. No wonder Steve couldn't find any information on her, she was on Atlantis. Sheppard couldn't explain, however, why Captain Marlow had failed to contact her father, but he never got that far into most of his people's lives.
If only he could tell Steve that his daughter was alive and well and under his command, but he knew he wouldn't be able to convince the worried father without giving too much information away. Instead, he decided to keep his mouth shut for the time being and focused on the growing tension between Berry and Elton behind him.
"What is this about, Doc? Your kid?" Elton finally asked, sounding thoroughly pissed.
Steve sighed and sat back down in his chair in front of Sheppard and Madison. He looked wary now, his furious outer exterior had evaporated and been replaced with that of a heartsick father. "Shut the hell up, Rob."
So that was his name, Sheppard said to himself, but decided he liked Elton better.
"No! You promised us cold hard cash," Berry piped up, his gun rising up until it was level with Steve's head.
"And you'll get it," Steve said, not sounding the least bit interested or nervous with a gun pointed at his head. Sheppard watched in odd fascination, thinking how nice it would be if the bad guys took each other out, but knew it could also result in stray bullets flying around. His arms tightened their hold around Madison at the possibility.
"You didn't even say a word about money," Elton fired back. "That's the only reason we're here."
"I know that's the only reason you're here. Now shut the hell up."
"No!" Berry yelled, his gun still on Steve. "You've been testing our patience this entire time! You let all the people go, based on what? This fool?" he screamed, gesturing at Sheppard for a brief moment with his gun. "How can you even trust him? So what if Riley couldn't find any information on him? It's not like he's the world's greatest hack or anything!"
The room stayed quiet as Berry went on about his rant. While outside, they were apparently aware of the heightened tension inside the diner, as they were now using a megaphone in addition to the phone in attempt to connect to the inside of the diner.
"Besides, Riley already left a long time ago. He apparently realized how bad you were screwing things up," Elton joined the fight, his gun pointed at Steve now, as well.
Sheppard watched as Steve's gun moved away from his own head and was turned in the direction of his accomplices instead. Something was about to go down, he could feel it, and he and Madison were right in the middle of it all. Time to make a plan, Sheppard decided, scanning the room for some sort of idea. His best bet was directly to his left where a booth sat, its table and thick, cushioned benches providing the best possible shield. He knew that if he could tip the table, its metal would keep away stray bullets and protect whoever was behind it for a good while.
The heated argument between the gunmen was getting more heated by the second, curse words and threats flying left and right. Sheppard knew that he had to take advantage of this moment and whispered simple instructions into Madison's ear.
"We're about to play hide-and-seek" he whispered, unnoticed by anyone else in the diner. "When I say so, I'm going to put you behind the table, and you're going to stay behind it, okay?"
She didn't say anything, but he felt her head nod slightly, indicating that she understood. Sheppard's head was pounding in time with his quickening heartbeat, anticipating the moment in which he was going to put everything on the line. His vision swam and bile was rising in his throat, but he knew this would all be over soon, whatever 'it' was.
"Did you honestly think we wouldn't notice?!" Berry screamed, spittle flying from his mouth.
"I'm not going back to jail for your stupid mistake!" Elton added, looking paranoid and disheveled, "We had a plan! A good plan and if we would have stuck to it, chances are we would have gotten out of here with loads of cash and headed to Fiji. Now look!"
Sheppard could feel it building up. Something was about to happen; it was coming and he knew it. Who would fire first and would it take out someone he needed it to, he had no idea. All he knew was that he needed to be prepared.
"You fire that gun, and we're all dead," Steve shouted back amongst the growing hysteria both inside and outside the diner.
"Better that that jail," someone shouted back, but Sheppard was already in motion. It was as though the world had slowed down to a crawl as he pulled Madison as close to his chest as possible and covered her entire body with his own as he darted to his left and discarded her under the table. At some point during all of that, a gun had been fired, just as Sheppard knew it would, and likewise, knew that bullet had not been meant for him.
As he tipped the table over with great effort, he heard a pained cry and the sound of a body falling to the ground. In a split second, he decided that Madison was as safe as she was going to get, and turned around to see Steve pointing a gun at Berry, who stood over a collapsed heap of Elton.
Sheppard saw Steve deciding whether to keep the gun on Berry or move it to Sheppard, but found it wouldn't really matter as he watched the muscles in Berry's gun arm tighten. And for some unknown reason, Sheppard found himself hurdling at Berry, tackling him before he could shoot the gun. Sheppard would probably never know why he did that, but it was done.
On their way down, Berry's head collided with the edge of a table, and Sheppard knew he was out before they ever reached the ground. Two down, one to go, Sheppard rationalized rather happily. Besides, the S.W.A.T. team, along with half a dozen soldiers would be in there in a second, taking care of any loose ends.
As Sheppard stumbled to his feet and staggered around, trying to find Steve, he found himself darting his gaze to where he had left Madison. His stomach turned to ice at the site of her little feet dangling, being held in Steve's arms, a gun to her head.
"Tell them to stop!" Steve yelled frantically, glancing at the phone. "No one comes in!"
Sheppard looked out the door and saw some S.W.A.T. members getting closer and figured the flash grenades or something would be coming soon. Honestly, Sheppard thought that something would have already been done, but given the uniqueness of this particular hostage situation, things were bound to be unpredictable. After given the orders however, Sheppard knew Steve meant business, and without a second thought, he dove towards the ringing phone and screamed into it, his voice distant and full of fear.
"Hold your positions!" John screamed when the phone got close enough to his pounding head. "Keep everyone out!"
"Hold your positions!" O'Neill yelled, and heard others on the other line follow suit. "Sheppard, what's going on in there?!"
John's heart was racing. This was never part of the plan. In fact, it was the one thing he really didn't want to happen. He couldn't seem to catch his breath or take his eyes off the panicking little girl and the man that was holding her.
"Please," she cried, tears streaming down her face. He needed to help her. Needed to do something.
"He's got her. I've got to tell him about his daughter," Sheppard stammered into the phone, breathing heavily.
There was a pause on the other line, then O'Neil spoke again, though much quieter this time.
"I trust your judgment, Colonel, but I have a better plan. We've got a lock on Marlow and the girl. We have a clear shot from the back," O'Neil said very clearly, "if you can get yourself and the girl as far away as possible, we can take him out."
Sheppard stopped for a minute and considered the General's words. "Is that allowed, sir?"
"Colonel, I'm sure you know the delicacy of the situation and the government has said we are to take the gunmen out if given the opportunity," the General answered, sounding a bit unsure himself.
Something inside of John broke. This man was not someone Sheppard would have normally sent to his death; he was only trying to find answers on his daughter, but he would be damned if Steve's foolishness led to the death of someone else's daughter. Namely, McKay's sister's. He had promised Madison wouldn't be harmed, and he would do whatever it took to keep that promise.
He was suddenly reminded of a few months ago and his conversation with Henry Wallace. It had been about his daughter, too. Why was it that the Millers were paying for someone else's family issues again? No, he helped stopped the worse from happening to the family the last time, and he was going to do it again, even if it meant the not-so-bad guy had to die.
"Yes sir," Sheppard said back. "I'll tell him only what he needs to hear," he finished, pretending as if they had only talked about the information on Dana Marlow. Slowly, Sheppard laid the phone back down, his eyes never leaving Steve's, and stood up. He swayed dangerously and knew that he had a concussion now but also knew that all of this was about to come to an end.
"I'll tell you," Sheppard coaxed. "I'll tell you everything you need to know, but I want the girl. I want Madison."
Steve stood there, rocking on his feet, a blur to Sheppard due to the darkness of the diner and his hazy vision. Slowly, Steve lowered Madison to the ground, but did not take the gun from her head.
"You don't want to hurt her, Mr. Marlow," John continued to cajoled softly, knowing he needed to get through to the man. "I don't want you to either. Listen to me, your daughter is alive. She's alive and she's under my command, but before I tell you anything else, I want Madison with me. You can keep the gun on us, just let me hold her. Please. I'll tell you everything."
Steve's face made a 180 change from desperation to hope, and Sheppard felt something like pity race through him, knowing that Steve would not be able to enjoy this news for very long.
"Give me the girl," Sheppard repeated, feeling that he was about get through to Steve/Marlow. He looked into Madison's eyes again, and saw her staring at him longingly, still crying. He then saw her abandoned little picture out the corner of his eye, and felt his heart sink. And when his eyes met Steve's once more, he knew he had won.
The hand wrapped around Madison's chest slipped away, and the other hand holding the gun repositioned itself to point at John. Madison did not move at first, but remained standing in the one spot, shaking like a leaf. Sheppard lowered himself to his knees, partly for his own benefit, partly for hers, but mostly for the fact that he could better avoid a sniper's bullet from the ground. Sheppard refocused on Madison, and held his arms out to her.
"Come here, Madison," he beckoned silently to the trembling girl. "We're about to go home to see Mommy." That got her. She suddenly ran at him and into his outstretched arms. He cradled her like she was his own; pulling her close and rubbing her back.
He needed to stay focused! The shot would be coming at any minute now.
"She's alive?" Marlow questioned softly, a single tear running down his cheek. "Dana… alive…"
Steve was interrupted, though, by the sound of glass breaking and Sheppard knew exactly what was coming.
He held on tight to Madison as he turned around so that his back was now to Steve. And sure enough, seconds before the sound of the sniper's bullet impacting Steve's body could be heard, an additional bullet was fired, immediately followed by a stabbing pain in Sheppard's back, somewhere near his right shoulder.
As the world around him grew darker and time became a distant notion, Sheppard was vaguely aware of a young girl screaming, dozens of feet attached to bodies he couldn't see filling the diner and putting their hands on him.
The pain was simply unbearable, but he couldn't pass out, not yet. He searched desperately for Madison, realizing in pure terror that she was no longer in his arms. He felt himself starting to panic and tried so hard to fight the hands gripping at him and the growing darkness around him. Where was she? He had to keep her safe.
"Sheppard, it's okay," someone said, very close to his ear. "We've got her. She's fine. Let them help you."
He wasn't sure if he completely trusted the voice, but the dark was no longer just enticing, it was demanding. He tried to fight it for a little while, but it became too much for him. With one last desperate plea to anyone that would listen for Madison's safety, he slipped away at long last.
End of chapter 4 - Hope you all enjoyed and please be patient as I try to improve the ending, but I don't imagine a much longer wait than the time it took to post this chapter. Thanks again, and have a wonderful weekend!