Title: The Devil Wears Vengeance
Chapter 2 – The ill Winds of Change

Note: Okay a very special thank you to my friend Maria who helped me translate the lines from English to Irish. Seriously awesome my dear and thanks for helping me give it an authentic feel (she lives in Ireland how cool is that!) Hope you and everyone else likes the bit of Irish touch for our evil schemer *wink* and this chapter as a whole.

'First year…happy anniversary…' Ed's warm voice echoed in Donna's head long after she had fallen asleep and then greets her first thing the following morning. She looks at Ed's peaceful expression and smiles; the past few months had been more than a roller coaster ride for both of them. She remembers the dark times after the miscarriage and how helpless and vulnerable he felt; hating the fact that he was unable to do anything most days except watch her in misery.

'Tell me what to do Donna…tell me…anything, I'll do anything just tell me.'

But she didn't know either and was helpless to give him anything he could use to help her in return. Thankfully Shelly had come in at exactly the right time, pulling her back from the literal depths of hell; in effect pulling him back as well. After that, their bond had grown stronger and stronger each day, not only their love, but their trust and loyalty; both had been shown that life was too precious and short to take for granted.

In those dark times though, as much as she knows she didn't thank him or tell him enough, he was her rock; never giving up on them, never wanting to just toss up his hands and walk away from their marriage, and never once thinking about giving up on their future for a family of their own.

I love you Ed…more than you'll ever know or I can even express, her mind whispers, his body starting to gently stir beside her. But his words the night before were true, neither of them slept very solidly after that fateful night so many months ago; the slightest moan out of place during the twilight hours would pull the other from their slumber, ready to help at a moment's notice.

She glances over at two pictures on the small bedside table on her side and smiles; the picture on the left was taken the day of their wedding, the two of them in formal attire, clasped in each other's embrace and smiling, happy in love; the picture on the right taken the day Ida Logan forced them to marry, Ed in his full SRU gear and her in her casual street clothes, modestly holding hands and looking at the camera with hopeful glances. A few seconds later Ida's name creeps into her subconscious, forcing her teeth to grit and body to slightly tense.

She's locked away in an Irish prison, her mind reminds her as Ed's body stirs once more, her smile hastening to return. I hope she's there til she rots.

XXXXXXXX

~Women's prison Northern Ireland (approx 8 hr time difference)~

Eight hours earlier that same Monday morning, an all too familiar alarm sounds, the female forms slowly starting to stir, getting up and getting ready to get their day started. Ida Logan slowly lifts herself from her small bed, thankful for the privacy of being the lone occupant of her unfriendly cell. She casts a silvery brow toward a well worn picture on her dresser and narrows her gaze; it was a picture of Ed and Donna Lane, next to that of her late beloved Callum.

"Happy anniversary my love," she whispers as she kisses her thumb and gently presses it against the glass cover of the frame holding the picture of her dead husband. As per her routine, Ida dresses in her prison outfit for the day and waits for the cell door to open; heading for breakfast and then to the library; wanting to get onto the internet and get caught up with the latest news and gossip, her favorite link being that of the local news in Toronto, Canada. She wasn't allowed to contact the Lane's or anyone in the SRU personally, but that didn't stop her from scouring the local headlines for any news about what the troublesome couple was up to.

One day…one day you two will meet your end…and it will be by my hand, her mind seethes as she hears a familiar voice approaching. If you think I've forgotten about you two think again! These bars won't hold me forever!

"Maidin bhean uasail Logan. Páipéar agus tae mar a iarrtar." ['Morning Madam Logan. Paper and tea as requested.']

"Tá buíochas a ghabháil leat Fiona." ['Yes thank you Fiona.']

When she was first told her sentence for murder she feared that coming back to the country she loved so much would do her harm and only foster in her ill will toward her beloved husband's birthright and her own familial heritage. But being back on familiar soil has only helped strengthen her resolve that the iron and brick around her wouldn't be holding her for much longer.

As soon as she had stepped foot into the well known women's prison, whispers started and gossip abounded about the former Mistress of the notorious Logan Clan; a few wanting to even make a name for themselves wanting to see her demise coming sooner than expected. But money talks and so do the strong bonds of friendship as she quickly learned a month in.

'Ida…you might not remember my name but…'

And that was it. She was approached by Fiona O'Malley, a person whose current husband was secretive friends with her late beloved Callum. Callum had many underground friends that he never told her about, always saying it was for her own good, but if ever in a time of need they would seek her out and come to her aid – no matter what, no questions asked. After that a few others had come forward in private, wanting to show solidarity and strength in numbers to the Logan name. Allies were few but precious and would be put to good use.

The year started out slowly; her mind seething each time it would read headlines about the positive coverage of the SRU, and rejoicing when, especially Team One or Team Three would come under a negative spotlight. 'Serves you right Constable Lane…' her mind would offer, or 'next time you'll get yours for good Sargeant Lane…' looking at a picture of Donna.

But then something about six months into the first year of her prison term caused her anger to boil further. The news of a child. A Lane child. Her fist had hit the table, sending her strong, black caffeine filled tea cup clattering to the floor and leaving a flutter of surprised and questioning glances in her wake as she stormed out of the library and back to her cell to pace and fume.

"Droch-scéal Madam Logan?" ['Bad news Madam Logan?']

"Sea, Fiona. An cineál is measa. Tá mo namhaid ar ais níos láidre ná riamh." ['Yes Fiona. The worst kind. My enemy has rebounded stronger than before.']

"An bhfuil aon rud is féidir liom a dhéanamh?" ['Is there anything I can do?']

"Uimh." ['No.']

And with that she asked to be left alone, her teeth gritting as she pondered the Lane's happy news, wishing she was there to destroy all of them. And from that moment on she worked at cementing her escape plan. It wouldn't be easy or quick, but time was on her side, it would be worth the wait.

However, a few months later she had received news from a confidential source that the Lane future was destroyed and the baby lost, something to which she rejoiced greatly in; her depths of remorseless evil coming to the fore.

"Madam Logan, Ta aoibh mhaith ort inniu. Sceala sona?" ['Madam Logan, you are in good spirits today. Happy news?']

"Ta Fiona, an cineal is fearr. Ta fann orm a ceiliuradh. An feidir leat cunamh le sin." ['Yes Fiona, the best kind. Today I feel like celebrating. Can you help with that?']

"Is doigh liom, d'fhéadfadh a bheith in ann a fháil rud éigin speisialta a roinnt. Beidh mé díreach ar ais." ['I think I might be able to get something special to share. Be right back.']

It wasn't much but Fiona had come back a very fine scotch and some extra edible goodies from the staff lounge, the friendly guard slipping into her cell to share a dram and enjoy the Logan matriarch's good news.

"A Tósta Fiona. Do mo naimhde, is féidir iad a fheiceáil laethanta i bhfad níos mó dorcha roimh a n-deireadh deiridh." ['A toast Fiona. To my enemies, may they see many more dark days before their final end.']

The glasses raised and clinked, an evil smile played upon her face until well into the evening; an even stronger urge now to escape and return to Canada and finish off the two people who threatened to destroy her very future. It wouldn't be that easy as funds weren't as easily forthcoming as she had hoped, but the fact that little by little they were coming in, meant that maybe only six more months of hell would have to be endured before the devil would be free again.

Six months after that date; present day, Ida sits at her table, sipping her tea as per her late afternoon routine, reading the Canadian headlines from the day before and the local headlines from CNN before she would excuse herself and head for the library; there in the quiet corner, planning her next moves.

XXXXXXXX

"Morning," Ed greets Donna with a warm kiss to her cheek as he enters the kitchen later that same morning, his hands tenderly slipping around and resting on her belly. "Morning little one," his warm voice offers its daily greeting to their unborn child. "Sleep well after the interruption last night?"

"I'm waiting for the day you both kick me at the same time," she quips, drawing a small frown to his smooth forehead. "I was teasing," she offers as her finger rest on his forehead, her lips on his. "I'm okay."

"So we tell everyone at the anniversary party this weekend?"

"We do. You okay with that?"

"Sure," Ed shrugs as he looks at the paper on the door of the fridge.

"Ed…don't start," Donna stops him as he turns to look at her with a slightly open mouth. "You know I mostly do truck duty now."

"You didn't last week," he reminds her weakly; his mind always seeing the working restrictions put on by Dr. Chan to help ensure the best possible care for the fetus.

"And we did our relaxation stuff and it was fine. I am not going on desk duty…I'll be like a caged animal," she lightly growls.

"Mmm I might like that."

"And not in a good way," she rebuts and his frowns, drawing a small smile to her lips. "Ed I'm fine…really," she tries to assure him as she tenderly rubs her belly. "I'm gonna do everything to keep this one safe."

"I worry," he admits heavily as she offers him a supportive hug.

"I know you do and I love you for it," she replies in truth as she gives him one more kiss. "Now…breakfast."

"Breakfast," he repeats.

She wasn't able to just subsist on coffee and cereal bars anymore; needing something more nourishing for herself and their baby to start the day off right and it was the perfect ending to a tense foreboding discussion. 'Remember Donna, its imperative you never let yourself get hungry,' Dr. Chan had warned her the day of their first ultrasound. After breakfast, Donna lingers in the empty space that was soon to be the baby's room; the colors right now neutral as neither of them wanted to know the sex until the day of the baby actually coming into the world. She glances at the wooden furniture that Wordy had gifted them, his youngest now not needing the small dresser, crib or changing table.

Her mind fills with joy as she imagines herself in the rocking chair that Shelly suggested to them, Ed reading to them softly as she gently rocks their child to sleep; all of them happy and content. The phone rings in the other room, snapping her back to reality and sending her back into their bedroom to get dressed and out the door.

"Who called?" Donna asks as they head for SRU headquarters.

"Spike, he wanted to know if he can bring wine on the weekend," Ed softly smirks. "I told him sure…you love to drink."

"Poor Spike," Donna groans with a smile as they head into the underground parking lot.

"What? We can't tell them yet right? Fine he said he'd bring pop."

"What? I'll just make sure he knows he can still bring some wine if he wants."

As soon as the elevator doors open, Donna goes in search of Spike, wanting to assure him that he could bring wine and to ignore Ed's lame comment, the others could drink if they wanted, she would just avoid for obvious reasons.

"Well well…that's a bright smile," Wordy greets his best friend as Ed enters into the locker room with a grin on his face. "Care to share?"

"You sure you want me to?"

"Hey no early morning sex talk again," Sam groans as Ed chuckles.

"Oh happy anniversary," Wordy mentions with a wide smile of his own. "So tradition has it…paper is the theme right? Paper gifts all around."

"What? We hafta buy a paper gift?" Sam pipes up. "There goes the c…" he stops just as Wordy looks up sharply. "What?"

"I'm teasing him. So if you're about to spout off about the gift, hold that thought or you'll incur Jules wrath."

"So does that mean I can just buy you guys the newspaper?" Spike adds to the conversation.

"Who's buying a newspaper?" Greg inquires as he too nears the group of gathering males.

"We're pondering traditional paper gifts for the Lane anniversary party this weekend?"

"Spike, you can't buy them a newspaper."

"Why not boss?"

"Because that's what Marina and I splurged on," he winks, making Ed just shake his head but say nothing more; despite the fact that it was killing him inside to not be able to share their good news just yet. But Saturday was only a few short days away; the wait would be worth it.

"Wow one year," Jules tells Donna as her, Rachel and Donna linger in the ladies locker room.

"Almost hard to believe…feels like yesterday," Donna muses as she looks up at other two female SRU members and smiles. "Been a busy year."

"Boy it sure has. Lots of ups…and sadly some downs," Rachel mentions carefully.

"Yeah but you guys emerged stronger and more in love because of it," Jules adds.

"That we have for sure," Donna replies, not mentioning the subject of a family to other two ladies with her in the room. Only Tom had asked once in the past week why she opted out of a call, but his suspicions laid to rest when she went into the thick of the action on the call Ed chastised her earlier for. Thankfully after the weekend she wouldn't have to worry about explaining herself on a call or sitting out of a tense scene instead of putting herself needlessly in harms way; the team would understand.

Donna takes her SRU uniform and heads toward a nearby washroom, ducking into one of the change rooms at the last minute; not sure if her belly would be noticed or not. Still being in the early stages of her second trimester, her clothes were starting to get a bit snug, but the outward evidence wasn't as prominent as it would be a month or possibly even a few weeks from now; the timing to tell the team would be spot on.

She frowns slightly at her reflection as she notches the belt, one rung looser than the week prior, but smiles at the reason; it wasn't just weight gain for no reason, it was their child and for that she couldn't fault the changes. She gives the small round bulge on her belly a comforting rub before gathering up her things and heading for her locker; the door not barely having time to close before the overhead paging system calls Team Three into action and the day ahead is set in motion.

But while the day had started out peacefully it was threatening to end on a strained note as the two of them stand in the hallway that evening, in a strained emotional showdown.

"It was only a small stumble…you have taken much worse," Donna fires back as they both stand in their entrance after a tense day and two very hot calls.

"I'm not pregnant."

"Oh so you're going to hit me with that every time I get a paper cut?" She growls and then pulls back, her eyes almost wanting to water.

"No," Ed huffs as he looks at her expression and then berates himself for raising his voice.

"What the hell? Now I wanna cry? Damn these emotional mood swings," Donna groans as her ever changing emotional makeup. "I only scuffed my hands and knees…it was no big deal! Why can't men carry the baby?" She retorts, her anger dissipating. "Yeah like you'd listen anymore than me."

"I wouldn't listen."

"Then why are you faulting me for doing my job? You know I can't and don't want special…"

"Attention? I'm your husband not…"

"My parole officer," she snaps and then stops, shaking her head as she turns around. "Oh damn…did I just say that? Ed…I'm sorry…I just…I didn't mean to imply a prison I just…I hate being emotional!"

"At least you're not armed," Ed remarks lightly making her utter a somewhat anxious chuckle and then just nod in agreement.

"At least…boy you'd hafta walk around in a vest if I was. Course…just a vest and I might not get as testy," she lightly adds, making him smile.

"I didn't mean to sound overbearing."

"Can I blame these emotional mood swings on the baby?" She retorts as she folds herself into his grasp.

"Hey if the only thing we hafta deal with is mood swings and the occasional scuffing for the next few months, I think we'll be okay," Ed utters.

"And scraped knees?"

"Or bruised ribs?"

"I didn't…what? You did? Okay what happened on your hot call and don't downplay or I'll call Wordy and ask."

Ed looks at his wife and slightly frowns, but knows she'd merely ask his best friend the following day, who would for the most part spill the beans; it was time to fess. Ed launches into his own tense situation as they finally leave their place in the entrance and head into the kitchen to get started on dinner, the tension and anxiety rapidly declining as each moment passes.

That night Donna lays on her back in bed, her knees up, Ed spooned up on his side, his hand tenderly stroking her tummy while he reads something in a soothing tone to both of them. Donna's eyes travel down to Ed's strong jaw as he reads another chapter in their parenting book, her lips curving into a soft smile as her fingers playfully tug at the bottom of his soft ear lobe.

"Okay you skimmed that last part…what's…" she snatches the book from his grasp and flips the page. "Shoulda known," she looks down at Ed who gives her a sheepish shrug. "I am buying you that book."

"Just wanted to make sure that…you know I wouldn't be hurting the baby."

"We have sex now."

"The baby will be bigger then," Ed lightly argues back as she rolls her eyes and hands him back the book.

"Seriously you are reading the part on the terrible twos...you can come back to the sex part later."

"Can't we ship it off to…somewhere else during that time?" Ed frowns, drawing a small giggle from her as he continues, their evening ending on a much more relaxed note than when they had gotten home.

The night ahead, however, only serves to keep Ed slightly awake and agitated, his mind seeing Donna during a hot call and something going terribly wrong; a subsequent trip the ER where he's told that both mother and child were lost this time. Not wanting to wake her, Ed slips from the warm bed and heads into the baby's room, easing himself down into the rocking chair and staring at the empty crib's outline in the dimly lit room.

"Can't ever let that happen," he whispers in misery until he's too tired to keep his eyes open; finally allowing them to close and falling back asleep in the rather uncomfortable position; Donna still soundly asleep in the other room. Another nightmare tears him back to reality in a cold panic with his heart racing; this time it was Ida Logan's cruel laughter sounding in the air before slowly dissipating at his own personal demise.

"Damn it," Ed curses as he slumps back into the softly padded rocking chair and looks over at the time with a heavy frown; his body tired and mind cursing the fact that he'd be facing another full day of work on only a few hours of solid rest. He switches to the living room couch, finding some restful slumber, but not as solid as preferred. Morning would come all too soon.

"Ed?" Donna softly whispers as she looks at Ed's side of the bed and then toward the door; the apartment is quiet, no sounds coming from the TV and no smell of coffee. Did he go for an early morning run? She ponders as she slowly slides out from under the covers and heads for the middle of their apartment, finally rounding the corner and spying her elusive husband asleep on the couch.

Oh Ed…I'm sorry if I kept you awake, she inwardly laments before she turns and tiptoes back down the hallway and into their bathroom. She turns on the hot water, allowing the steam to fill the room as she slowly starts to undress and put her hair up in a messy bun.

"Mind if I join you?" Ed inquires a bit too softly, making her slightly jump and him pull back in regret. "Sorry, thought you heard me."

"I thought you were still asleep."

"Not any more," he answers with a hungry gaze, his eyes feasting on her naked frame.

"Strip," she playfully orders; Ed only to happy to quickly comply. "Did I wake you last night?"

"No. Mind was too active on its own," he huffs as they both step under the hot streams of water.

"So now the plan is to tire yourself out even more before you go into work?" She teases.

"Trust me this won't tire me out," he whispers huskily before his lips crush hers and the official shower time is put on hold for an early morning sexual romp.

XXXXXXXX

"Donna, you okay?" Tom asks later that morning as she pauses in the alleyway, her and Tom in pursuit of a suspect.

"Yeah…go," she urges, pushing Tom and watching him pulling away from her and racing after the suspect after top speed.

"Richard, Tom is coming down the alley toward you!" Donna talks into the headset as she takes another deep breath, leaning against the cold brick wall and praying her stomach cramps pass before she has to head back to the truck. Ed's gonna kill me, her mind inwardly groans as she finally feels the little one inside her finally starts to subside.

"Suspect in custody," Tom's voice is heard over the headsets as Donna approaches the truck.

Donna watches Tom around the corner and head toward her with the struggling suspect between him and Richard. He looks at her with a small frown and she knows a question is forthcoming.

"Good work team three. Book him," she nods to the suspect who merely snarls back. "You have something to say?"

"Yeah, sucks to be your friends!"

"Friends? What friends?" Donna asks in haste as she looks at her team, Tom, Richard, Gary, Rachel and Riley in the truck. "My team is accounted for. What other friends are you talking about?" Donna presses with an angry tone.

"You're the genius…you figure it out."

"What friends?" Tom demands in anger.

"The others…like you. Sucks to be them right about now."

"Winnie…patch me through to Greg."

"Donna?"

"Greg your team…" Donna starts and then stops as a loud 'boom' is heard over her headset, making her look at Tom in dread. "Greg? What was…"

"Donna…I'm gonna hafta to…Eddie…talk to me! Eddie! Where the hell…team one…someone answer me…" is all Donna hears before the line switches back to her own team.

"Finish up here…"

"I'm coming with you."

"Gary, give him to the uni's. Team Three let's go. Team one might need us. Riley, find out where team one is now."

"Copy. Address coming through in a few seconds."

"What was that back there?" Tom asks as they pull away from the curb at top speed; sirens blaring.

"What?"

"You…in the alley…you never slowed down befo…"

"Bad Chinese. Tom step on it."

"Donna…"

"Seriously it was bad leftovers and nothing more. My husband is in danger. Anything more on team one's status?"

"There was a bomb that was detonated remotely," Riley informs them. "I know…hold on…okay some injuries and…Ed and Wordy…Sam are trapped…Spike's got…he's trapped to…Jules is…"

"Is what?"

"Sorry it's very static."

Ed's trapped…injured…her mind races as they near the frantic crime scene. Donna jumps out of the truck and hurries toward the command truck, rushing up to Greg who was giving two uni's instructions on what to do.

"What can we do?"

"Perfect timing. Tom, I want you and Gary to get to the south side and try to help Ed and…"

"Greg I'm going too. You said all civilians were out, yeah?" Donna asks, wanting to ensure priority of life was followed.

"Go," Greg nods before he gives the rest of team three instructions on where to help the other members of team one.

"Ed…can you hear me?" Donna asks in haste, her heart racing and stomach starting to tighten once more. "Ed!"

"Donna…yeah we're okay…Wordy and I are okay…" Ed's faint voice comes to life in her ears, his reply comforting her slightly. "We're okay."

"Tom…there…Ed we see an opening…hold on…we're coming."

For the next half hour, Donna nervously paces the outside area as Tom and a few other rescue workers frantically claw at the rubble, Greg telling her that Spike was finally pulled free and they were close to reaching Sam; Wordy would be right behind Ed. But time doesn't seem to move as fast as she wants and soon she feels her stomach starting to cramp again. Ed's okay…just breathe…he's okay…breathe…she commands herself over and over. Finally her anxiety is put to rest by the sound of her husband's voice as he's brought forth.

"Donna…" Ed's raspy voice coughs as he finally is pulled free of the dusty rubble, Wordy seconds away from being pulled out also.

She merely shakes her head as she rapidly blinks, praying she keeps her newly found emotions at bay in a very public setting. She looks at the cut on his cheek and the blood on his hands and frowns.

"Where are you hurt?"

"Cut…my side…it's okay…it's okay," he huffs as he tries to stand up with the help of one of the rescue workers. His face breaks into a heavy wince prompting her to offer a very suspect expression and him to merely shake his head. "Donna…I'm okay."

"Who's blood is that?" Donna asks in haste.

"Sir you need to go to the medics and get checked over," one of the rescue workers points toward the nearest ambulance.

"Right," Ed resigns as he gives her a small smile and then pushes past, Wordy falling instep beside him; Donna turning and heading for Greg; Sam and Spike already receiving paramedic treatment.

"What happened?" Donna asks Greg, her eyes trying to remain on Greg as he comments, but every few seconds glancing toward her husband to see how he was faring; her heart rate still elevated. She helps out as much as she can before it's time to call her team back to the barn; team one following suit sometime later.

"Had me worried today," she mentions softly as she enters the men's changing area with a concerned gaze, Wordy and Sam still outside in the main locker room area. She gazes at the deep purple markings on his right side, the bright white bandage standing out like a beacon.

"Wasn't our…" Ed starts only to have her hold up her hand and nod.

"I know. Greg told us it was a setup. Our suspect knew also. Was still worried even after I heard your voice," she frowns as her hand automatically drops to her belly.

"Sorry," Ed shakes his head as he walks over to her, still only half dressed in his dark jeans. Her hands rest on his warm bare skin as her face rests on his soft chest, her eyes closing in the delightful feel of his fingers stroking her back. "We were completely surprised."

"Still…when Riley told us some of the details…" she sighs as she looks up with a weak smile. "I don't want to ever lose you."

"You won't," he pauses as he kisses the top of her head, "I promise."

"Okay we better get going before I attack you right here."

"And that's a bad thing?" Ed quips as he reaches for his shirt. But the rigors of the day aren't lost on his wife as he once again displays a heavy wince as he pulls his shirt down. "Hurts."

"Hmm maybe you need some nursing tonight."

"Promise you'll wear that nurse costume?" He playfully flirts as he grabs his jacket and the two of them prepare to leave.

"Think it still fits?"

"Or you could wear nothing…" he suggests, making her giggle; the room becoming quiet a few moments later.

XXXXXXXX

~Women's prison Northern Ireland (Saturday Morning)~

"Now that's a happy smile," another inmate remarks as they pass by Ida comfortably seated at the library computer. "Good news?"

"Just something to smile about Marta," Ida replies as she turns her evil gaze back to the computer and reads the headline from the Toronto Sun: 'SRU narrowly survive bomb detonation.'

"Narrowly," she whispers as she switches back to an email that was sent to her during the early morning hours, her mind now finding delight in the simple message – 'Plan in motion. Not long now.'

"Soon it won't be narrowly…soon there won't be any escape," she muses before she deletes the email and then leans back in her chair, her mind formulating the final details of her escape. "Soon."

A/N: Okay so knew Ida wouldn't let a few jail bars hold her back right? I hope you are still liking the mix of fluff and angst with a wee bit ole peril tossed in before the real storm starts to gain strength! How did you like the insight into Ida's stay in prison? I would love your thoughts as always so please do review before you go and thanks again!

PS: Hope you all liked my last fluffy(ier) hehe AU OS 'Sick Day'