Author's Note: I need to apologize because this is one LONG chapter - just on 4,500 words but I hope it doesn't put you off. I had a lot to say especially about Coulson. Also if anyone hasn't read Part One (and why ever not?!) some things may not make sense but as both are so ingrained in my head it's hard for me to tell if part two could be read in isolation and still make sense. Please read and review - it's the only thing that keeps the creative juices flowing.
WHEN THE HEART STOPS BEATING PART TWO
Chapter 7 - Finale
When you wear the uniform of the SRU, heads turn and people look especially if you're also carrying an MP5 submachine gun and a Glock 9mm handgun. The SRU commanded respect from everyone - including other police officers. He would miss that - he wouldn't miss the late shifts and the endless tactical training sessions but he would miss playing the hero. He saw them all looking as he walked through the glass door of the emergency room; the young mother with her crying child, the young black youth with a bloodied bandage around his head - all of them looking at him with admiration and respect. "Hi, I'm constable Coulson with the SRU. My colleague, Constable Braddock, was brought in earlier; he had been badly beaten by some drug dealers and I need to let my team know his condition. Could you find out where he is and how he is doing?"
"Of course, Constable Coulson" The nurse said looking on her computer screen at the admissions and then added "He is still undergoing treatment; if you wait here I will go and check how he is and let you know."
Brian Coulson knew the nurse admired and respected him - he could tell just by the way she looked at him.
The nurse walked off down the corridor with Coulson following discreetly behind. She walked through the fourth door on the right. Once Coulson had seen where she had gone he walked back to the reception area. He did not want to raise any suspicions just yet. The nurse walked back to Coulson a few minutes later. She told Coulson that Sam's condition was stable and he would be going to the OR shortly.
Coulson thanked the nurse and told her he would inform his team.
"How's the pain now Sam?" the doctor asked the young officer.
"OK" was all that Sam could manage to say.
The doctor new Sam was definitely not OK.
"Jacqui could you give Sam 10mg of morphine. We don't know what time he will be going to surgery as we are still waiting on the results of the CT scan".
She looked over at the young officer and smiled. Sam even tried to smile back, but the pain was stopping his face from doing anything but frown.
Nurse Jacqui Wells knew Sam. She had tendered to more than a few wounds he and his teammates had come into the emergency room with. But she knew Sam better than his teammates because she had worked in ICU the same time Sam had been there. When Sam arrived in ICU in January, no one thought he would survive his injuries. Every time the doctors thought he was dying, he somehow pulled through. The nurses up on ICU even gave him the nickname 'Sam the indestructible man'. He had made more than a few hearts flutter among the nurses; nearly every one of them had fallen a little in love with the dashing blonde policeman. She had come to know Jules too, as she had not moved from his side for weeks. She remembered taking a recliner chair from the doctors' lounge and giving it to Jules because she had refused to leave the hospital. It didn't matter what anyone said to her she stayed, day and night. It took sometime but Sam did recover; and now he was back with more injuries. Blunt force trauma to his abdomen, chest and back and a nasty head wound. This poor officer has had one hell of a year she thought.
Coulson waited for the nurse to be preoccupied with someone else before slipping past her and making his way down the corridor. He stood outside Room 212. This was It.; this was where Sam Braddock would die and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop him.
Coulson took out a phial and put some of its white contents onto the back of his hand and snorted deeply. He loved the high he got from cocaine but there was an even bigger high just waiting on the other side of the door. He took out his gun and entered the room.
"Officer, you cannot be in here, you need to wait outside" the doctor working on Sam said briefly looking up.
It was Jacqui Wells who saw the gun first and dropped the tray carrying the medical instruments. The instruments clattered to the ground making the doctor stop what he was doing.
"What do you want?" the doctor asked Coulson.
"Him" Coulson said pointing the gun at Sam as he turned the lock on the door.
"He cannot be moved - I have just inserted a chest drain. This man has sustained serious injuries."
"I know doc, I was the one who inflicted them."
Jacqui had started to pick up the instruments, placing them back on the tray.
"Leave them and get over there" Coulson said pointing his gun to the direction he wanted the doctor and nurse to go.
Sam stared at Coulson; his mind racing. He knew there would be little he could do to stop whatever Coulson had planned for him, but he also knew Coulson would not leave any one in that room alive. This was their war; it had nothing to do with anyone else. His mind frantically trying to work out a way to get the doctor and nurse out of the room; it was hard to think past the pain but he had to try somehow.
"Coulson, you need to let these people go - they are not part of this" Sam pleaded with Coulson.
"I can't do that Sammy boy".
Sam hated feeling useless; he knew now this had been Coulson's plan; he had stopped the beating purposely to leave him injured and vulnerable so he could come back and finish the job.
Sam was OK with dying. Hell, he had come close so many times his luck was bound to run out eventually, but he had always hoped his death would have meant something - that he had died saving lives; not murdered by a rogue cop bent on revenge. Sam hoped the end would come quickly but guessed Coulson had other ideas, more along the slow and painful route.
While Coulson was tying tape around the Doctor's wrists, Jacqui went over to Sam.
Nurse Jacqui Wells had never felt more terrified in her life; but she had to do something to help Sam. He had been through too much already. She had slipped a scalpel in the pocket of her uniform when she had picked up the instruments from the floor. As she checked on Sam she placed the scalpel under the palm of his left hand.
Sam felt the scalpel and a wave of relief rushed through his veins. Her bravery may have just evened up the odds a little. Sam made a mental note to thank her later if he survived; if they survived. He just needed to stay conscious and fight the darkness that was threatening to engulf him.
"Leave him and get back over here" Coulson ordered the young nurse.
Hoping he had not seen her pass the scalpel to Sam, the nurse returned to where the doctor was and put her hands behind her back. Coulson tied them using duct tape. He sat the doctor and the nurse on the floor in the corner of the room and warned them both that if they made a sound he would have no hesitation in shooting either of them. Jacqui knew Coulson meant every word.
Coulson walked over to the right side of the bed.
Coulson placed his hand over the chest drain and then pressed as hard as he could on Sam's ribs. Sam did not want to cry out in pain; he did not want to give Coulson the satisfaction but his face couldn't hide the sheer agony the ex-SRU Officer was inflicting. Sam's body started to shake uncontrollably which just made Coulson want to continue the torture.
"Sorry Sam, did that hurt?" and without warning pulled the tube out of Sam's side. Sam yelled, beads of sweat were running down his face. He almost lost consciousness but held on; digging the scalpel into his palm to keep his focus.
The doctor winced as he saw Coulson pull the tube out of Sam but kept quiet; Jacqui couldn't stay quiet.
"Stop it, you're killing him" Jacqui bent her head down not wishing to witness any further torture of the injured officer.
"Oh goody" Coulson responded.
Jacqui had never seen evil until that moment. She knew the man standing over Sam was pure, unadulterated evil and hoped Sam would prevail but she knew it was unlikely. She wished her hands were not tied; but wondered what she could do even if they weren't.
Jacqui looked at Dr. Glassman and he looked at her. There was nothing they could do for Sam; he was on his own; they also knew if Sam died they would too.
Jules was looking at her watch: "Boss, our ETA?" she asked for the tenth time.
"Ten minutes Jules - if we don't hit traffic on the freeway, maybe a little less".
Ed looked over at Jules, her face unable to conceal the fear that Coulson was with Sam right at that moment. Jules was rubbing her forehead trying to erase the image she was picturing. We've been through too much for me to lose you now Sam. Hang on; just hang on a little longer.
They hit the freeway and all Jules saw was a sea of cars. "No, please no." She sighed feeling everything was against them getting to Sam in time.
Brian Coulson was narcissistic, arrogant and cruel. He liked inflicting pain. He had enjoyed it since he was a young boy. He had started small; pulling the legs of spiders and other insects and then progressing onto bigger and better. Torturing small pets had been his favorite pastime, until he discovered he could inflict pain on his friends' young siblings and they would never tell; terrified of the repercussions. It was the ultimate power fix and he loved it. As time went on he learned very quickly to hide his dark side.
Coulson had never found a woman he wanted to marry. He had a girlfriend once; she was nice and he liked her, but when she had said no to sex in the back seat of his car, he just did it anyway. When it was over, she was crying. He drove her home, dropped her off outside her house and never saw her again. Just after his 22nd birthday he joined the Police Force. He trained hard and after eight years on the regular force applied to the elite Strategic Response Unit. Coulson was turned down, but he kept applying and on his third attempt, ten years after joining the police force, he was finally successful.
Team 2's tactical Officer had always believed he was better than Ed Lane. But Lane was Team Leader of Team 1 - the elite of the elite. Coulson had tried and tried to get onto Team 1, but was always rejected. Then one day a young brash man walked through the doors of the SRU and immediately he was on team 1. Everyone loved Braddock, even John Sullivan said how good he was. Coulson despised Braddock; despised his good looks, despised the fact that he could take a man out from 2 km away; but more than everything he despised the fact that he had Jules Callaghan. No one but he could see it; the whispers, the looks the stolen touches when they thought no one was looking; he was looking and he knew. Coulson had liked Jules from the moment he set eyes on her. He had tried to strike up a few conversations with her but she was never interested in anyone in the SRU until Braddock.
For years Coulson was a good cop but seeing people at their worst on a daily basis became predictable and easy - almost boring. He had started to crave more and more excitement. He had come across Jason DeShawn when Team 2 had assisted the Guns and Gangs Task Force. DeShawn's lifestyle excited Coulson and he wanted to be a part of it. They realized they had something in common; a fondness for prostitutes, more importantly, young prostitutes. The relationship became a scratch my back and I'll scratch yours deal with Coulson giving DeShawn inside information whenever they were going on a drugs raid. Eventually drugs started to play a big part in their friendship. Coulson discovered a liking for cocaine and so to fund his habit started to sell the drug. He liked the money, better than the money; however, was the power it gave him.
Everything was going along swimmingly until the stupid bitch Sonya Winters; He knew the slut would be trouble and had warned Jason DeShawn. Sonya and her sister Helen used to hang out at Jason's place all the time and at a party one night, after one too many bourbons Coulson had slept with Helen.
Brian Coulson had no idea what was going on at Tracey Winters' apartment before Team 2 arrived on scene - he didn't know Tracey or where she lived. When Ray Benton told the Team she had two sisters; Sonya and Helen, he nearly crapped himself. Coulson had tried to keep a low profile, but John Sullivan ordered him and Braddock on the roof. He knew the Johnson Brothers - they did most of DeShawn's dirty work although his trusted aide was Otis Sanders. As soon as he got on the roof he saw her; he knew she had recognized him and could link him to Jason DeShawn. Coulson had no choice - she had to be silenced; she had to die. He knew Braddock was suspicious so he had to die also. But he didn't die, he fucking survived.
He had thought about getting rid of Braddock while he was in the ICU; no one would have been surprised if he had suffered a heart attack or just stopped breathing, but whenever he went to Sam's room he was never alone. The Callaghan bitch was always there, and if she wasn't, his sister was, or someone from the Team. Then Braddock woke up and, what do you know, he had no memory of the event; he was off the hook for the time being. Coulson researched memory loss on the internet and discovered it was unlikely Braddock's memory would come back.
Coulson decided the adage of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer was a good one and became friends with Braddock. He visited him regularly. If Braddock's memory came back then Coulson was deal with it. But as the weeks went on Coulson became confident Braddock's memory was gone for good. Until the Saturday morning at the SRU when he saw Braddock and he told John Sullivan he was waiting to see Greg about the Laker Street case. As soon as Braddock looked at him, Coulson knew; he had remembered what happened on the roof.
From then on he was playing the game by his rules: His career was in ruins. But in some strange way in was a release. Coulson had never felt freer than that Saturday. It took him less than an hour to come up with the plan and to abduct Jules.
Snatching Jules was so much fun - he did it so Braddock would know the feeling of loss and helplessness; and Jules would be scared out of her pretty little mind. He was still pissed Braddock had found her so quickly; he would have liked her to suffer a little longer. Braddock - the fucking hero once again. But not this time; this time Sam Braddock was going to die.
Finally it had come to this. The weeks of planning and now he had Braddock right where he wanted him at his mercy. All good things come to those who wait he said to himself licking his lips at the thought of inflicting yet more pain on the already injured officer. It was going to be slow and painful. He holstered his gun and took out his favorite knife.
"It's just me and you Braddock" Coulson sneered running a blade along Sam's chest, cutting deep into his flesh: A trail of blood followed.
Sam yelled and wondered how much more his body could endure before it shut down completely. He wanted to fight for his life, but he honestly felt he had no strength left to fight with.
Sam could barely breathe the pain was so intense. He chest felt like it was being crushed and he could feel his life ebbing away.
Sam heard the sirens in the distance; getting louder with each second that ticked by: It was his team they were almost there.
Coulson ran the blade across Sam's chest for a second time; yet this time he was disappointed as Sam didn't yell out in agony; he just whispered Coulson's name. Coulson went in closer to hear what Sam had to say; was he about to beg for his life? - Oh he hoped so.
Sam grabbed Coulson's uniform pulling him in closer; Coulson's face froze; the stunned expression remaining on his face. The scalpel Sam had hidden in his hand had been plunged deep into Coulson's neck. Blood started to pour from the wound covering Sam's chest. His body; suddenly limp fell onto Sam.
Sam heard brakes screeching and knew the Team had arrived; he closed his eyes and with one more final show of strength, pushed Coulson body off of his chest, and on to the floor.
The screams brought Team 1 crashing through the locked room. Sam didn't see them come in; unconsciousness had taken him just seconds before.
Jules seeing Sam's chest covered in blood thought Sam was already dead, her knees buckling from under her she put her arm out against the wall to steady herself - hot saliva in her mouth an indication that she was about to throw up., They were too late, Sam's body lying covered in blood - she had lost him.
The doctor yelled that it was not Sam's blood and to untie him quickly so he could help Sam. Jules remained rooted to the spot, staring at Sam. Spike obliged and quickly helped the Doctor and the nurse to their feet.
Ed was trying to comprehend what had happened in the treatment room 212; he removed his glove and checked Coulson's vital signs. He was dead a scalpel sticking out of his neck.
Greg called Winnie and ordered forensics to the hospital. Winnie asked about Sam afraid of the answer but needing to know.
"He's alive, that's all we know for now Winnie; Coulson is dead". Greg said the words yet couldn't quite believe them. His SRU officer lay unconscious and injured, the other officer, responsible for those injuries lay dead on the floor. The situation was contained. Greg hoped Sam would survive the final encounter with Coulson, but it wasn't looking good.
The doctor was desperately trying to stabilize Sam. As soon as Sam was stabilized, he was moved out of the room. The room was cordoned off with police tape, an officer placed outside the room waiting for forensics to arrive.
The team, exhausted sat in the waiting room just as they had done in January. Sam had been taken to surgery.
Jules was playing with her ring, twisting it around and around with her thumb.
"You'll wear it out Jules, if you keep doing that" Ed said as he sat next to her. "It's been a pretty full on day, do you want anything, something to eat or a coffee?"
"No, I'm good thanks Ed."
No one was talking. Spike was leaning against the wall of the waiting room, his normally smiling face taught with concern. He was torn between leaving to check on his mom or staying with his team. Wordy was sitting next to Greg his head resting on the back of the chair. Greg sat upright not able to relax until he knew the condition of his officer. Greg looked at his team, he was proud of each and every one of them. They were drained, devastated and exhausted by the events of the past couple of weeks but they were still there, everyone determined to stay and wait for news on Sam.
"I should never have let Sam talk me into going to my Dads. I could have protected him." Jules finally spoke.
"No you couldn't Jules -no one could have protected Sam 24/7 from Coulson. He was determined to kill Sam, but Jules he didn't succeed. Sam is alive and Coulson is dead, we have to be grateful for that."
"I am grateful Ed, but Sam could still die and then Coulson, dead or not, would have won".
"Sam's not going to die Jules; he's a fighter; he survived last time and he'll be OK now. Coulson's gone and you two can finally get your lives back.
The team waited, but the wait was far shorter than in January and when the surgeon emerged from the double doors leading into the family waiting area, his look was more upbeat.
"Well, all I can say is Sam Braddock is one very lucky young man; the surgery went better than we hoped. He will need a few weeks but he will make a complete recovery. He can have visitors in about an hour and then I must insist you all go home and get some rest".
Jules pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them; burying her head she started to sob. A tidal wave of emotion finally being released. Ed placed his arm around her and gently pulled her to him.
The nightmare that had begun on a freezing cold day in January was over and they had survived. Jules knew they had been incredibly lucky and wondered just how long their luck would last. But Jules was grateful for everything; she still had Sam and the team.
An hour later Jules walked down the corridor to Sam's room. Sam lay sleeping; he didn't see the tears falling silently down her face.
Jules sat on the chair and pulled it up close to Sam's bed. She tucked her hair behind her ear and rested her head lightly on his bandaged chest not wanting to wake him or hurt him further, but needing to hear his heart beating.
Jules felt Sam touch her hair - he was awake. She turned to face him.
"Hi baby, how are you feeling - do you want something, maybe some water?"
Jules was fussing; she was obviously worried; she only fusses when she's worried. "I'm OK Jules, a little sore - well a lot sore but I'll be fine, how are you?" Sam saw the tears began to fall.
"When I walked into the room and saw you covered in blood I was sure you were dead. It felt like January all over again. I can't lose you Sam, I can't." She wanted to beg him to quit the SRU, but she knew he wouldn't and she wouldn't ask him.
"I'm not quitting the SRU Jules" He knew without her saying a word, Sam knew what was going through her mind.
"I'm not asking you to"
"You would never ask me outright but that is what you want". San wiped her tears from her cheeks "The only thing that kept me going was hearing the sirens; knowing you and the team were there and were coming to save me. Jules I have you, Natalie and the team and that's all I will ever want and all I will ever need - and no madman is going to stop me from doing the job I love with the people I love. Coulson is gone; he cannot hurt us anymore".
One by one the team came to see Sam to make sure he was OK before they headed home.
"I'm guessing you don't want a lift home Jules?" Greg knew Jules would not be moving from Sam's side.
"No thanks Boss, I'm staying".
"No you're not Jules; take her home guys, she needs to rest".
"When were we ever able to make Jules do anything she didn't want to Sam?" Ed asked jokingly. "We'll be back tomorrow, get some rest you two".
Jules heard Sam sigh and asked what was wrong.
Sam told her nothing was wrong. Everything was finally right. He had survived, Jules had survived and they could finally start to move on from the nightmare and move on with their lives.
"Are you feeling OK Sam?" Spike asked Sam "You are not looking so hot".
"I'm good Spike; she's late that's all" Sam answered.
"She'll be here Sam, wild horses wouldn't keep her away" Spike said trying to reassure his best friend.
Sam looked around. They were all there - their teammates, their friends and family.
"I feel sick Spike, what if she's changed her mind?"
"She wouldn't do that Sam" Spike said and then looking back towards the entrance he smiled; "you don't have to worry; she's here".
"She's here?" Sam asked
"Yes" Spike said.
"What does she look like?"
"Why don't you turn around and see for yourself?" Spike said.
Sam turned his head towards the entrance of the church. His eyes fell on the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life. Jules literally took Sam's breath away. He couldn't believe this woman had actually agreed to marry him. How the hell did he get so lucky? Sam smiled at Jules as she walked towards him, arm in arm with her dad.
"Hi beautiful, what kept you?" Sam asked Jules as she stood next to him.
"Dad got all emotional just as we were leaving" Jules whispered back
"I was worried - I thought you had changed your mind"
"No chance Braddock, you've got me for life".
"I love you Jules"
"I love you too, Sam".
"We are gathered here to witness the marriage of Samuel Braddock and Julianna Callaghan…"
A new chapter of their lives was about to begin. This time it was full of love and hope.
THE END.
A/N: Sorry again for the length of the chapter. Hope you enjoyed it, if you did let me know by posting your review. As we are nearly in December just wanted to wish all of you A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A FABULOUS 2013. I am working on something new, but needed to finish this first - so hopefully you'll hear from me again in the New Year.