Title: Flashburn
Chapter 4 – Sight Unseen

"Better?" Wordy asks in a softer tone after he had bandaged up Ed's eyes once again; the other dressing having gotten dirt on the outside from when Ed tried to clean something earlier and had to be removed for fear of contaminants.

"Better," Ed replies with a small sour note in his tone as he rests in his chair; feeling Wordy's eyes resting on him. "Say it already," Ed grumbles.

"Sucks to be you," Wordy mutters under his breath. "That's what you want me to say right? Because that's what you think I'm going to say? Or what you think you need to hear?"

"It's true."

"Yes its true…there I agree," Wordy resigns with a heavy sigh. "But I don't pity you."

"Donna said the same thing," Ed lightly grumbles as his hands immediately come up to rub his face and then quickly dart back down. "I hate this Wordy…I've sat here this morning wondering…what if Donna is stuck with a cripple the rest of her life."

"What if?" Wordy counters, forcing Ed's jaw to tighten. "I know you too well and have for too long to know how much this is scaring you. You're used to being in control – of everything and…"

"I hit Donna last night…well early this morning."

"What? I know it wasn't on purpose," Wordy quickly interjects.

"Never…damn Wordy I woke up from a nightmare and she was too close and I felt…I felt my fist hit her face or cheek or…something soft. She said nothing and…I've never done her any physical harm."

"Trust me she knows that," Wordy gives Ed's tight fist a small reassuring pat. "We all know that okay? The teams know what you're going through and…"

"She didn't say anything…was just there and…" his voice trails off as he turns his head to the right; away from Wordy. "She never said a word."

"She wasn't going to make you feel bad for something you had no control over. Had you been able to see you would never have let it happen."

"She's being very supportive and trying to…she's not allowing me to wallow but the last thing on my mind is being intimate…I feel useless."

"Everything else still works right?" Wordy smirks as Ed's head returns to its original position and he slowly nods.

"I can't be on disability the rest of my life Wordy…and I doubt Donna wants to be saddled with a cripple."

"Remember Duncan Rogers?" Wordy suddenly asks in a low tone. "Want me to call him up?"

"That isn't fair," Ed retorts with a small hiss.

"Why not? You're sitting here feeling sorry for yourself, and I get that, okay I do. But it's not the end and you know it. Duncan is our age and…"

"Wordy," Ed warns with a brief grunt.

"He was blinded by a roadside IED and he lost the partial use of his left hand. He's got two small boys and…"

"Wordy!" Ed snaps.

"He'll never see again!" Wordy lightly shouts back. "There's a chance you will see again but he never will. Remember, he went on a bender for a few months after that…but then he realized he had so much to live for and with loving help from Judy and the boys he's living a productive life again…he's even teaching."

"I know," Ed whispers in misery as he feels his eyes water beneath the protective padding. But as soon as he feels a small stinging sensation from the natural saline he quickly forces his mind to suck it up and stop being so melancholy.

"I know you're scared…I am too. But he went through all that remember? We even had to bring him home one night from the bar some cabbie delivered him to. We got him home and he…he got back on the right track."

"Judy put up with a lot."

"Most wives do," Wordy smirks in a lighter tone. "Donna is not going anywhere…none of us are. I know you have to weigh both sides just in case, I do understand that, but you sitting here being angry at everything isn't going to help you."

"The guy is out there and I…I feel useless okay Wordy? My team is out there doing my j…"

"Their job," Wordy quickly corrects. "We all do the same job…just right now our leader is taking a bit of a break."

Ed hears his friend's supportive and comforting words and feels guilt starting to build. The reminder about their friend Duncan and how he had to adapt but did finally forces his heart to feel some comfort – Duncan's family never left him, in fact they were more supportive now that they had him home on a regular basis. Sure it was hell, but they survived.

"Yeah," Ed merely replies as Wordy offers him a soft, unseen smile. "So how'd the recital go?"

Ed and Wordy talk a bit longer before Wordy tells him he has to take his leave; promising to check in the next day to make sure everything was still going okay.

"Lock the door, he's still out there," Wordy reminds Ed as they both linger in the hallway.

"At least there's a sketch out there now," Ed says as his fingers rest on the top deadbolt. "Wordy…thanks, for coming by. I needed this."

"That's what friend's do," Wordy replies kindly before he takes his leave and heads into the hallway; waiting until he hears the deadbolt click before heading for the elevator, calling Greg along the way to see where he could meet the team.

Ed locks the door and then turns around; automatically cursing the darkness all around him and wondering what the doctor would tell him come Monday. He knows he can't make dinner because if something were too close to the element and he didn't catch in time, a fire could start and then he'd be in real trouble.

"Where is…" his voice mutters as he feels his way toward the kitchen island, his fingers grasping the edge as he enters their kitchen. But he misjudges the edge and within seconds hears the distinct shatter of a glass on the floor and can only groan as he slowly sinks to his knees. But his anger surges further when his fingers brush along the jagged edge, slicing open the skin just below the tops of his fingers and causing a few crimson droplets to fall and splatter onto the creamy tile floor.

"Damn," he groans as he accidentally moves a bit too close to the counter, catching the edge of the gauze on the handle of a cupboard and quickly sending his fingers there to ensure the bandaging stays in place. However, in doing so, blood transfers from his cut fingers to the white gauze around his eyes; something that would startle his wife a bit later.

Wrapping a nearby towel around his hand as a crude bandage, Ed manages to pick up the pieces of the broken glass and deposit them into the garbage, hating to have to tell Donna what happened and have her do a more thorough cleaning to ensure all the glass shards were cleaned up.

With is head now starting to throb from anxiety alone, Ed slowly stands back up and makes his way toward the bedroom, wanting to lie down for at least a few hours and then awaken with a new plan – hopefully. But as his mind ponders the grim reality of his situation he can't help but wonder if he'd ever be able to bounce back like Duncan did and where the man that dealt this set back to him really was. Maybe he has left the province, Ed muses in error; not realizing that danger was lurking very close by…just waiting to pounce.

XXXXXXXX

"Talk to me Spike…any good news?" Greg inquires closer to the end of the day; their patrolling done and most just wanting to go home and bring the long, trying week to a muchly needed close.

"Well I have news…" Spike deadpans. "If you want good news then…"

"What do you have?" Greg lightly interjects as he eases himself down beside Spike and both look at the large computer screen before them. "That our guy?"

"I think so," Spike replies with a small frown. "If so…it's not good news."

"Who is he?"

"Tristan McNeil."

"McNeil…sounds familiar. Do we know that name?"

"It was tossed around last year at this time when this warehouse in Mississauga was attacked the same way. I pulled up the footage. Same MO. Guy storms into the plant wearing nothing we can identify, kills three guards as he runs rampant through the warehouse toward the back where he has a truck waiting. He willfully engages the police and…here…"

"He kills the officer," Greg groans as they both cringe when they watch the officer fall. "Shot in the head. So this is no amateur."

"No," Spike agrees. "In fact now that I put together a few of these it seems as if he's followed the same pattern every year it's just that no one knows where he'll strike next or why."

"Nothing in his past history to suggest a motive?"

"Nothing. Only that he likes to kill. If it's our guy, the few jobs he's had have never even been in a warehouse. For some reason he just likes to target them."

"So every manufacturing warehouse is put on alert but…"

"He still manages to get the job done. He uses a different set of clothes each time, different vehicle that is found burnt out so no DNA is found and then disappears until this time the following year."

"Great…a modern day Houdini," Greg sighs as he shakes his head. "And now he's out there…and…"

"And so far Ed's the only one that's managed to survive his yearly murdering spree. If this is him."

"Well he has the long earring disc and the same colored hair and…"

"The same facial structure," Spike adds. "Boss…I also found a few other things that…"

"That what?"

"Are pretty…sick," Spike pulls up a few photo's and both gaze in disgust. "He sent these himself a week after each officer went missing. A note says from 'me' and how do you like my handiwork? A murderous spree, followed by a murder every few years and then he's gone."

"A Narc Detective…a traffic cop and a uniformed officer. So he likes to target law enforcement of any kind and seemingly at random," Greg groans as he rubs his weary face and looks back at the chilling photo's. "And he's managed not to get caught all these years."

"That's because no one's lived to put a positive ID on him. Even the entry notes here say it's only supposed to be…not confirmed. He left only one drop of blood behind but it was a big crime scene and on one could positively ID him. He's a ghost," Spike whispers with a heavy frown as both he and Greg trade concerned expressions.

"He's a master of disguise. Smart and deadly, very bad combo, but he is flesh and blood and therefore can be taken down. But Spike…"

"Yeah I know boss…we need to find him before he finds Ed, or else Ed will be his next victim."

XXXXXXXX

"I can finish that if you need me to," Tom walks up to Donna as she sits in the team three meeting room with a stack of files before her.

She leans back in her chair and looks at her team leader with a heavy frown. "I'm playing coward right now."

"What?"

"Delaying going home."

"Look what happened earlier…"

"No not that," Donna shakes her head in haste as she gently touches the small bruise on her cheek. "I'm not afraid of Ed physically. I'm going to go home and…and Ed's going to be angry and resentful about me being able to work today and him having to stay home and…"

"Sulk," Tom lightly interjects.

"He calls it moping," she retorts with a small smile.

"You let him?" Tom teases with a small smile of his own.

"I've tried to be fun and light about it…I can't force him to just relax right?"

"You can't?" Tom counters. "Thought you could do anything, at least that's what Ed always tells us," he adds the small boast, making her heart gently swell with loving pride.

"I'm just as scared. What if…I know I hate to sit here and play the what if game but it's a real possibility that come Monday the chemicals will have done serious damage and he'll be blind or even partially…lose this job and..."

"Cross that bridge when you come to it?" Tom adds lightly. "Anna is working late and I have two hours to kill before I pick her up. Let me do these. My hand writing's neater anyways."

"Is not," Donna groans before she finally resigns and hands over the pen. "The doctor told us that come Monday he might not just be able to get back to normal right away. Our anniversary is coming up and…and I'll be stuck with a miserable husband."

"Like I said…you won't let him be miserable."

"Tom I can't force Ed to be intimate…even with the notion of taking his mind off his misery for a few hours."

"Trust me if Anna wants to distract me, she doesn't even have to say a word," Tom grins.

"See you Monday…sometime…or not."

"Tuesday works for me," Tom calls after her as Donna heads for the women's locker room to change and then head home; her mind now wondering what Ed had done all day – especially after Wordy had left. At least with Wordy there it would have helped to pass the time but then what? She remembers the chilling information Greg had told her about Ed's attacker and for a split second actually considered putting him into protective care; worrying about his wrath later.

"He's going to be angry about this…" Donna mutters to herself as she enters the underground parking lot and pulls into their assigned stall. She gets out and heads for the elevators, stifling a small gasp as the door before her suddenly opens and a private company utility worker steps outside.

"Sorry ma'am," he states casually as he holds open the door and allows Donna to enter.

"Thank you," she replies as she steps inside and heads for the button, her mind not paying much attention to the man she just passed with dark greasy strands and a fake set of glasses.

After the door closes the utility worker heads for his phony van, snickering to himself as his fingers adjust his wig; the fake strands covering the telltale earring that she failed to notice. Donna leans against the side of the slow moving steel box, not realizing she just passed the man that was now silently stalking her husband with a very real intent to finish what he started – kill Ed for seeing his face.

Hearing only silence coming from their apartment, Donna slowly turns the key and enters their apartment; hearing a small grunt coming from the bedroom and offering a frown in its direction.

'You won't let him wallow…' Tom's words flood her mind as she removes her coat and shoes and goes in search of her quiet husband.

But as soon as she enters the bedroom she utters another audible gasp as she spies the dried blood on his face and around his eyes from where he cut himself earlier and was unable to see what visible evidence he left behind.

"Donna?" Ed mumbles with a sleepy tone as he tries to force himself awake.

"Hey what on earth happened? Are you okay?" She asks in haste as she hops onto the bed and kneels at his side, her fingers gently inspecting the wrapping with the blood splatter on it.

"Yeah…what? What's going on?" Ed stammers in wonder.

"You tell me. Ed you have blood on your face and the bandages. What happened?" She asks as she starts to gently peel away the protective wrapping, wanting to see what damage if any he'd done.

"I'm okay…" Ed mentions as he quickly fumbles for her hands and holds them in his. "Donna…I'm sorry about…last night."

"Last night? You were angry and…"

"No," Ed cuts her off in haste, "I hit you right?"

"Ed…"

"Right?" He asks in defeat.

"It was nothing."

"Donna…I…" he stammers as his core enflames. "I'd never…" is all he manages before she leans in and tenderly kisses his mouth.

"I know you'd never hurt me on purpose; everyone knows that. I didn't say anything because it wasn't that big a deal. It was a small smack and I was in the way. I know if you could have seen me you wouldn't have lashed out like that and I should have known better to be that close but I didn't pull away in time."

"I couldn't feel you until…it was too late," he confesses in misery.

"And I blamed the nightmare…not you," she assures him further. "Don't feel bad okay? I'm okay. Now let me see the rest of that," she slowly pulls her hands free, looking down at his. When she sees the cuts are only superficial and have for the most part already healed over she proceeds with her next plan to take off the soiled coverings.

"Donna…"

"Ed I'm okay. Now…let me see what's going on okay?"

"Okay," he finally resigns as she pulls away the padding, breathing a very audible sigh of relief when she tells him that his eyes were okay and nothing seeped into the skin that might cause an irritation. "Am I allowed to open them?" Ed wonders with a hint of anxiety.

Donna reaches over and turns off the small beside light, bathing them both in darkness; the only light coming in from down the hall. "Ed…"

"Just a few seconds…I want to see…something," he gently growls as he takes a deep breath and slowly lifts his eyelids; his heart rate starting to gain momentum as each second ticks past. But he stops, almost afraid to open them in case all he's greeted with is darkness and his worst fears are confirmed.

"Ed?"

"What if I only see black?"

"Won't know until you try right?"

"Right," Ed replies with a tight jaw as he slowly opens his eyes. At first only a few watery droplets escape; his brain urging him to just take the plunge and open his eyes all the way. So he does. Instantly Donna hears the quiet bitter curse escape her husband's lips and knows it's not the results he was hoping for.

"What do you see?"

"It's like a um…a dark fog and I…" he pulls away in anger. "I can't SEE!" He growls in anger as his fists tighten.

"Dr. Eng said it would take until Monday right? What did you see before? Is there any improvement over yesterday?"

"No."

Donna purses her lips and frowns as she notices Ed's jaw still firmly set. "Really?"

"It's not as black," Ed honestly admits. "But I still can't see."

"But it's something," she whispers as she kisses him on the forehead. "Come now…let me reband…"

"I just want to rest a big longer," Ed pulls back in defiance.

'You won't let him wallow…'

"Okay," Donna agrees with some reluctance as Ed slowly lowers himself down onto the bed and grits his teeth in misery. "You knew it wouldn't happen over night Ed. Dr. Eng said it takes minimum 72 hours."

"I know," he replies firmly; still making no attempt to get up and join her in the kitchen. He feels her get up off the bed and then walk out of the room; the silence starting to suffocate him with its thick arms. He has only himself to blame as inside he had told himself that would heal faster than everyone else and the doctor's rules didn't apply. His foolish thinking was quickly brought to the fore when he opened his eyes for the first time in over a day; greeted by a few haunting dark shadows, followed by silent misery.

About ten minutes later he hears Donna reenter the bedroom as then tries to get up. Her hand helps him sit upright and before he knows what she's doing he feels the cool black silk blindfold being placed over his eyes.

"Donna…what…" he tries to protest as she takes his hand and holds it by his side.

"We'll put the bandages back on in a bit…but this way we can both enjoy the darkness," she remarks lightly as he drops his hand, allowing her to proceed in placing the cool blindfold over his eyes. "There."

"I could still see something before," he admits with a sour note. "Slits of light…som…" is all he manages as his hand comes to rest on her thigh and instantly he feels something is off. "What are…"

"What?" She asks with mock innocence.

"What are you wearing?"

"Why?"

"Are you…undressed?"

"I'm allowed right? It's the privacy of my own home so I want to walk around naked. And yes all the blinds are closed."

"You're…fully naked?" He manages in a weak tone as her face lights up into a smile; her hand resting on his cheek.

"I am," she whispers as her hands rest on the waistband of his jeans. "Is that okay?"

"Uh…sure."

"Want to join me?"

"I…"

"Only if you want to. But I'm not getting redressed just yet. It's a bit early for dinner and I'm not hungry."

"You're going to uh…walk around…naked?"

"I am. No fun for only one to play this game."

"I want to but…"

"Do you?" She asks in a somewhat serious tone.

"I do," he finally admits in truth; his body already on its way to betraying his want for her.

"That's all I needed to hear," she replies with a tender smile as she helps him carefully remove his sweater; playfully pushing him back onto the bed and then helping him remove the rest of his clothes. "You don't need sight for this Ed. Just focus on us…focus on what you feel; we have made love in the dark before."

"I feel you," he answers before his lips utter a small playful growl; bringing a brief giggle to hers.

"Let me be on top tonight," she instructs as she nears his face, her lips by his ear. "I love you. Love me back."

"Okay," he quickly complies; his body already ready as his hands rest on her hips and they prepare for an intimate adventure.

"Now I'm hungry…" Donna playfully mentions sometime later as they both lay naked together on their bed, her head resting atop his chest and his fingers stroking her back and playing with a few stray tendrils. "You?"

"Hungry? Not for food," he grins as she looks up with a relaxed smile. "Needed this."

"I know you did," she answers confidently. "I know it's scary but if we can at least keep busy and not dwell on…anything negative we should be okay," she concludes as his arms encircle her and hold her tightly against his chest. "How'd it go with Wordy today?"

"I realized today I have a lot of patient people around me," he treads lightly.

"It's because we all care," she confesses in truth.

"Any hot calls today?" He inquires.

"Actually pretty routine…we mostly patrolled," she tells him matter-of-factly; knowing he'd be much happier hearing her have a rather mundane day, knowing he wasn't missing out on the thick of the action – a place she knows he longs to be. "I know that's what you wanted to hear so you can stop smiling now," she teases as his hand lingers on her bare chest.

"What?" Ed replies with a mock hurt tone.

"Oh I'm not two. I know you're happy that I wasn't called to a hot call so you don't feel like you're missing too much."

"Can you blame me?"

"Not in the least but now we have the weekend to just…relax and do whatever. And after a few mundane days you'll…"

"Be about ready to go postal," he groans in sarcasm.

"Good thing I've hid the key to where we keep our guns," she counters as she playfully nips his bare shoulder, bring a soft smirk to his lips. "Doctor's orders."

"Wouldn't mind another physical."

"Men are so easy," Donna teases as she twists around in his strong grasp. But just as she does her stomach growls, prompting her to slump back onto his chest and offer a small giggle. "Sex cancelled on account of food."

"Put on hold," Ed tries to protest as she pulls away. Donna heads for the closet and pulls on her robe; handing Ed his and happy that he leaves the black blindfold in place.

"That thing is a lot more distracting than the white bandages," she remarks lightly as they now stand in the kitchen as she makes them a light dinner; the curtains pulled tightly for their own personal privacy.

"Why?"

"Because it makes me think of things other than food," she answers dryly.

"And that's bad?" Ed tries to wag his brows; the top of the black blindfold impeding their process and forcing his brow to furrow.

"Don't frown," she whispers as her finger gently smoothes out his wrinkled skin. "No, it's not bad…just distracting. But in a good way. Here try this."

Ed's hand holds onto hers as he accepts the savory morsel between his lips and chews. "Good. What is it?"

"Smoked oyster. I found some in the cupboard and had to use them before…today," she huffs as his lips just smile at her light banter. He didn't ask about the cup as he could only assume she cleaned it up; thankful that she also didn't make to much of a fuss about him cutting his fingers earlier or making a bit of a mess on the floor with the watery shards still left over from when the glass fell and shattered.

You'd do it for her…his brain correctly reminds him. And he knows he would…not matter what if she wasn't up to par in any way he'd be there to help out as much as he could and as much as she'd let him; knowing full well she's just as stubborn as he is. Dinner is finally made and both of them sit down to enjoy it; Donna giving him a few snippets about the man the authorities are still seeking but not wanting to worry him further.

"Am sure he's long gone by now," she assumes falsely. "He's managed to stay hidden all these years."

"I've seen his face though."

"And he knows it. But if he values his freedom, he's probably in Winnipeg by now. Let the snow and mosquitoes have him," she lightly quips as he smirks and nods. But as she notices his jaw tense, she knows he's still very much worried that the man in question is a very real and dangerous threat. It's something she too feels inside but won't dwell on for fear of contributing to further nightmares forthcoming.

After supper they retire to the living room; where Ed just relaxes on the couch, Donna curled up beside him as she reads from the book they had started a few months back but then never had the time to just come back and sit and read.

"Tired?" Ed gently inquires after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes actually," Donna nods slowly as she lets a small yawn escape her lips. "We'll fool around tomorrow," she gently teases as her lips plant a soft kiss on his cheek; happily rewarded when his face relaxes instead of tightens. The day had started out with a hint of stress and anxiety but was now ending on a lighter and more relaxed note and she can only hope the night ahead plays out just as relaxed as this hour but knows in her heart they won't escape unscathed; not when he asked about the details of the killer and she was forced to provide a few snippets.

"Let me wrap those okay? Get some moisture on them for the night ahead."

Happy that Ed does not put up a fuss as she takes his hand and leads him out of the living room, turns off the light and heads down the hallway and into the bathroom; taking off the black blindfold and replacing it with moistened eye pads and some fresh gauze.

"What?" She asks as his face lightly crunches.

"Cold," he whispers as she instantly frowns. "But feels good," he quickly sets her mind at ease. "Thank you."

"Come to bed now," she warmly entreats as the two of them leave the bathroom and head for the bedroom, Ed's anxiety lessening by each minute that passes and telling himself that if he just rests and tries to keep as busy as he can – the next two days should pass by without too much misery. At least that's the plan. However, as well intentioned as he is, or sounds, both know it won't be that easy at all. Especially with a killer still on the loose.

As suspected the talk about the killer before bed once again force's Ed's mind to be restless through intermittent periods during the night. His mind showing him various scenarios of the killer hurting those around him and all he could do was stand in place and let it happen; not even able to see where to shoot – Donna calling out to him and begging for help before her cries were silenced for good.

"Ah damn…" Ed curses as he fumbles with the glass in the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning.

"Ed?" Donna asks with a sleepy tone as she tucks a stray golden strand behind her ear and enters the kitchen.

"Wanted some water," he huffs as she offers him a sympathetic gaze. "At least this one was the plastic one right?"

"We have them for a reason," she lightly remarks as she pours him some cold water from the fridge. "Almost out of…"

"What? Are you…taking food inventory at…"

"3am. Yes I am," she states proudly; her lips offering a soft chuckle afterward. "I didn't notice last night. I'll get some…later."

"Much later," Ed tells her as he places the plastic cup down on the counter and then both head back to bed, Ed telling her a bit more about his nightmare and both of them making a pact not to talk about such tense things right before bed for the next few nights.

XXXXXXXX

"I miss seeing how you look first thing in the morning," Ed admits in a tender tone later the following morning; both of them taking advantage of the fact that it was Saturday and sleeping in was more than allowed – it was encouraged.

"I haven't changed since the last time you saw me," she gently quips as her fingers tease the soft dark hairs on his bare chest, her head resting on his shoulder. "Few more worry lines," she confesses in truth as Ed's arm around her bare shoulder tightens. "I blame us being out of cheese."

"We're out of cheese?"

"Something to worry about right?" She playfully tosses back.

"Can't be without cheese," he states in a serious tone.

"Did I add that to the list?"

"You made a list at 3am?"

"I think I tried…or maybe when I wrote down dog food I was dreaming," she snickers.

"Dog food? We have a dog?"

"No," she groans as he chuckles. "Tom says I should have been a doctor based on my crappy handwriting alone."

"Ah so that's who does all your team reports."

"If I call him my secretary, think he'll get mad?" She deadpans as her body stretches in his grasp.

"I think you lying here beside me naked makes me want you to play my secretary."

"Hmmm boss and secretary. You know I'm not one for typical stereotypes but could make an exception in this case."

"Would love to come home and see you weari…" he stops and lightly curses.

"Wearing what?" She forces him to continue.

"Nothing…"

"You've come home and seen me wearing nothing. How about a mini skirt and five inch stilettos?"

"Sure," he replies with a weak smile as she just frowns. Her lips press against his, not wanting to him to dwell on his verbal faux pas about his sight. But it doesn't take much for his body to take control and soon his strong arms are wrapped around hers, holding her close as they greet the day with an intimate adventure.

"Okay so it's not dog food…its dark fruit…" Donna snickers at her terrible hand writing later that morning as they had showered and dressed for the day and were now lingering around the table after breakfast.

"Dark fruit?"

"Okay so I needed sleep. What else do we need…" her voice trails off as she writes down a few more things. "Oh and we got a call from the super last night saying he's going to inspect every apartment's washer/dryer set. Maybe we'll get a new set"

"Ours isn't that old," Ed muses as Donna shrugs. "What's um…is it raining out?"

"It is…perfect day to stay inside and just…relax."

"Hurry back."

"I won't be long. Stay out of trouble mister or else," she lovingly warns as she gives his side a small pinch and he can't help but smile.

"Might like the or else," Ed grins as they both stand up and slowly head for the door.

"Course you will. Okay be back soon, love you."

"Love you too," he whispers as he kisses her on the lips and then waits until he hears the door close before feeling for the lock and closing it securely. Thanks to her love and determination not to allow him to wallow the day was starting out on a brighter note than the day before; his mood lifted despite the fact that he still wasn't able to see anything at all.

Ed slowly feels his way back to the kitchen, wanting to keep to his promise of finishing the dishes before his wife got back. His lips hum a small tune as he gets started but it's not more than ten minutes before a soft knock is heard at the door and Ed stops to listen.

'Super called…wants to check the date on the washer/dryer set…'

"Hello?"

"Mr. Lane? Here to check the washer/dryer? Is this a good time?" The smug voice asks through the thick wooden door.

"My wife is out right now and….and that's usually her thing…"

"Just gotta check the date. Won't take more than a few minutes," the male voice insists.

Oh just get it over with, his brain fatefully urges as he ponders removing the bandages. "Sure hold on a sec…" Ed stammers as he slowly heads back to the table, quickly removing the protective padding before heading back to the door, wearing a pair of sunglasses that Donna had laid out for him just in case. His fingers fumble with the lock and then he slowly pulls it open.

"Hello…Mr. Lane," a sinister voice greets with a small sneer as his hand reaches for a black object hidden in his jacket.

A/N: Yikes! So is the baddie there to do harm or just taunt that he can be there or what….? *evil grin* lol wanted to get a bit more angstyness for our couple b/c can't imagine it would be easy but you know Alice couldn't let the danger rest for too long! So please let me know your thoughts before you and thanks so much!