The long road to no where.

12:30 PM

Best passed back and though in his office. He had just received a report about a shootout in down town. 'A shootout in down town, for fucks sake what the hell was going on here, this Canada, not down town LA'. He and got a number of on the spot reports from units that had responded. The most vocal was from Shaw and Dov. While Dov's was very long winded and and every detail, Shaw's had been direct and too the point. What they both shared was that Sam Swarek had been present and killed most of the assailants. Fisher had arrived at the last minute, but he had received a separate report of a shootout two blocks away with a man that matched Fisher's description. 5 assailants down. Thank god no civilians where killed. Shaw and Dov where due back any minute and he knew that Shaw wanted to speak to him. The only thoughts that where running though his mind where what was Sam involved in. He had ran the shootout though the detectives and was about to start a task force, but had received a call from the brass informing him that the situation was under control and that the 15 was to have no part in investigating the shooting. He had protested but it was made clear that this was not a request. The whole situation reminded him of the ben Dixon case a few mouths earlier. He suddenly had a need to speak to McNally. Why had she asked for the case files, it couldn't be coincidence. She must have found something, some kind of connection between Sam and Fisher, and Ben Dixon. He sat at his desk thinking what to do, but there was nothing that he could do. While he wanted to help Sam and Andy, his gut told him that Sam was right in the middle of his, and Andy was well protected. He tock a seat at his desk deep in thought, but unable to act.

Sam and Fisher had pulled into apartment block. Sam had directed Fisher there. When pressed why he had chosen this, Sam had informed him that it was his old place, from his undercover days. They got Niko and the shooter up to the third fall via the express elevator.

Escorting Niko, Sam saw that Fisher had his his hand on his gun the whole time. Sam did the same and Fisher had noticed this. He smiled, he really did have the gift. He learnt fast and when ever he fucked up he made it his mission to fix things.

The shooter was secured in another room. Sam had Niko at a table, hand cuffed to the table leg. He had given Niko some food and a drink, and watched while he consumed theme quickly. After 5 minutes, Sam wanted answers.

'Hi, my name is Sam, and you already know I have saved your life today. You saw what they sent after you, they are serious and want you taken out so the way I figure you have 2 options. Q. Stay quite and they will take you out, or 2, speak to me and we will protect you. I have a had less that 4 hours sleep in the past 28 hours so I don't really care which one you choice as long you choice it quickly'

Sam stood back, he saw a chair out the corner of the room but resisted to take it since he was so tired after the shootout that if he did he wold have fallen asleep. He needed Niko to help, and help now. Going into the next room he saw Fisher strap down the shooter. After some questions in a eastern european language that Sam did not recognize. Fisher turned to Sam and said

'hows your guy ?'

Sam grinned.

Sam glanced behind him to make sure the door was open.

'He's ok. Not a bad guy really, just wants to live. He had no idea about the UCAV, but he's willing to tell us everything he knows'

The shooter shouted something angrily in eastern european, to which Fisher responded by punching him in the stomach, hard.

Sam walked back in to see Niko. ' So Niko, is it door number 1 or door number 2 ?'

'You cannot do this, your the police' Niko shouted at Sam.

Sam paused and looked down, then look straight at Niko.

'No, were not'

Niko then spent the next 30 minutes telling Sam and Fisher everything he knew. Every now and then he needed a little physical simulation, which Fisher had been glade to provide. He noticed that Sam didn't flinch at this, but he didn't enjoy it either. This was a good sign. Fisher's had been accused of a number of things by his superiors, from a sadist to a loose cannon, but the truth was he was neither. He had been pressed once by a friend why he did what he did and he simple said that he was pro result and he got the feeling Sam was the same. Some would say a kindred spirt, but Fisher preferred to think of it as another damned soul.

As Niko told them about the last 72 hours of his life they were able to put together a mental image of what the extremist had done, and hopefully prevent anything they had planned.

Niko's role in the extremist plan was to get them equipment. By equipment he had meant guns, a place to stay and coms. They had paid well and didn't ask to many questions, even about the price. This is what had peaked Niko's interest. A 'client' that didn't argue about the price was unheard of. He smelled money, so Niko started to play his old con. He knew what ever they were doing it must be important, plus they had asked allot about storage space and privacy. So Niko's plan was to ripe them off. He clearly had no idea who he was dealing with. He had planned to do this after the weekend, after some partying, however thanks to Andy, he never got the chance.

'We know were their staging area is now. I doubt they are still there, but it might give them some kind of clue of where they intend to launch from' Fisher said matter of fact.

Sam was deep in thought. He looked up at Fisher and then back at Niko. 'What about theses two idiots ?'

'We don't need Niko anymore so we'll let the local PD have them. Plus the other guys no good to us either'. Fisher got on his cell phone and call it in.

'OK, local PD is 10 minutes out, 27th devision. They will secure the theses too, and then we can go and recon the warehouse. Stay here, I am going go and get some kit from the car'

Sam, still looking down and clearly in deep thought, said

'cool'

He then tock out his iPhone and started to play with it. Fisher could see Sam's mind working. If he survived this day he would make one hell of an agent.