Title: The Devil Wears Vengeance
Chapter 4 – The Beginning of the End?

"Really happy for you two," Shelly comes up behind Donna and whispers with a happy tone, Donna watching Ed on the floor, on his back and laughing as he tries to wrestle all three of Wordy's girls off him, Wordy of course doing nothing to help his best friend; merely laughing at his helpless expense.

"We are to, but both still really scared after last time," Donna admits with a small frown as she finally pulls her eyes away from her husband's smile and looks at her close friend. "But I can't thank you enough for all your help. Sorry I didn't…"

"Don't be," Shelly insists in haste, as she raises her hand and gently shakes her head. "We never told anyone either until we were sure with our second. It's only natural to be concerned. How's Ed taking all this?"

"Amazingly well. But I know he's also more concerned than he let's on sometimes. I get a reaction to something I ate and throw up and he's ready to dial 9-11," Donna replies with a kind smile. "I love his concern but I just don't want it to be…"

"Overbearing? Fine line for our boys on that note. Kevin was the same, in fact he sometimes still is. I just call him by his mother's name if it gets too much and he stops," she lightly giggles.

"Ah good to know. Otherwise…I'm glad we told the team. Was a few tense calls this past week and I was running out of excuses."

"Tense calls?"

"Just a few stomach cramps from…a heated pursuit. I just…" Donna sighs as she pushes past Shelly and heads into the kitchen.

"Just what?"

"I don't want desk duty but…Ed and I got into an argument about a call and…I mean I know I hafta be careful but…I hate arguing and so does he and then I get emotional and he clams up and we both stew until we agree just to drop it but we haven't really discussed it in great detail."

"What's it?"

"My work load. Shelly, I'm not a desk officer…I love the field and…and I know I sound selfish," she groans as her hands gently rub her tummy. "I would die if something happened to this one."

"I know you won't let that happen," Shelly offers in a soft tone. "As for work…"

"I know only I can come to terms with that," Donna looks up with a tired smile. "I think it's just been a long week."

"And being tired and emotional isn't a good combo," Shelly acknowledges.

"No its not, but I am really looking forward to the pedicure next weekend."

"You know a day spa is always a fun thing for girls. And how did Ed like the massage appointment?"

"Will take some more convincing," she replies with a wry smile as Ed finally manages to untangle himself and head toward them with his own weary expression. "Time to go I think."

The rest of the friends had already left and Wordy had allowed his girls to stay up a bit later because of the party fun, but now it was time for all to say goodnight and bring the fun day to a close. A few more hugs and thank you's before they head for home.

"Well…we survived," Donna comments as they enter their quiet apartment about twenty minutes later.

"And no more excuses come Monday," Ed lightly reminds her with a concerned expression. She looks at his handsome face and knows he's holding back his concern. She pulls him in for an embrace and then looks up with a tender smile.

"I will be careful."

"I don't want to be…you know I know you will…I know it, Donna I do but…"

"But you don't want to face that again and trust me neither do I. I promise I won't push myself."

"But old habits die hard?" Ed interjects in haste.

"Fair enough. I just don't want us to come to heated words like we did before although…I watch a damn commercial on flowers and I get weepy," she groans, Ed's lips twisting into a small smile. "It's hell. But I will be careful okay? I'll just make sure I give myself extra truck duty and put Riley in the field more if I have to, I think he's ready now. But you also hafta be careful."

"I a…"

"Am? You…Ed you are you and I love the fact that you are great at what you do but sometimes…sometimes you take extra chances and I worry and worry…well its not the same feeling as a food allergy."

"We'll both be extra careful. I promise," he whispers tenderly as he leans in and kisses her on the lips. "Tired?"

"Actually…I'm a little worn out," Donna answers with a frown. Giving her a nod of understanding, Ed pulls back so as not to allow his body a sexual surge that would go unfulfilled and both head for their bedroom to get ready to get some sleep, the long happy day being brought to a close. The sleep that follows is both restful and energizing as both of them were able to push any negative or anxious thoughts aside in favor of happy memories they created a few hours prior; not giving a moment's pause to the ship carrying the dark entity about to cause trouble once again.

XXXXXXXX

"Oh damn it come off…" Donna grunts early the next morning, Ed picking up her angry curse as he blinks several times and then looks in the direction of the bathroom. Resisting the urge to rush in and see what's wrong, he tries to relax in bed, his curiosity piqued when she mentions his name in a rather amusing way.

After her trying ordeal in the bathroom, Donna rounds the corner into the bedroom and looks at Ed with a small frown. "My fingers swelled," she huffs as she holds up her wedding rings.

"Ah. And the um…"

"Saying it was your fault?" She mutters as she shakes her head as she leaves the rings on the dresser and wanders back to bed with a playful smile. "It was your fault. Shall I punish you now?"

"Mmm like the sound of that. Wanna try out Tom's anniversary present?"

"How about next anniversary?"

"What? Really?" Ed counters with a mock pout, making her giggle as she slides back down toward him.

"I guess you'll hafta be happy with this nightshirt."

"How about we lose that nightshirt and then I'll be happy?" He playfully growls, his lips smothering hers for an early morning romp.

"Well leave it to Richard and Emily to get us the practical gift," Donna smiles at Ed as he enters the kitchen about an hour later, sexual adventure over, showers done and both dressed for a casual Sunday.

"A new coffee maker is always…what is this?"

"An…espresso? Okay that might be…wait it can do both. No wonder it's so big."

"Aren't you always saying size matters?" Ed snickers.

"Boy you are just on your game today," Donna laughs as she pulls out the pancake mix. The agenda for their Sunday was to rest, put away their gifts, do some grocery shopping for the week and just enjoy their day off spent in each other's exclusive company.

But Monday comes along all too quickly, bringing with it new frustration and anxiety; the weekend's happiness almost all but spent. Despite her teaming knowing that she had to take it easier in certain situations, by mid-day Donna feels like she's now being treated like a china doll and can only glare at Tom after he makes a comment to the rest of team three.

"Tom a word," Donna utters in a low tone, making her friend and team leader look at her in confusion. "While I do appreciate the protectiveness, this is still my show and…I'll call the shots. Trust me I know what I can and cannot do."

"But what if things turn tense and…"

"That's why I have you," she replies with a tense smile. "I'm not a china doll and I won't break. Now I was gonna put Riley in there but that's my call and…"

"I know it's just that Ed sai…"

"What?" Donna quickly interjects when Tom instantly clams up. "Ed said to what?"

"Nothin…you know he's worried," Tom states in his friend's defense, knowing that they were now both in trouble.

"Riley…in the truck. I'll take this one."

"But…" Riley starts, only to get a shrug from Tom and a heavy sigh from Donna as they press forward with the tense hostage situation.

Her mind starts to wage an internal battle between telling her that Ed was only worried and acting on protective male instinct and she was still reverting back to her old self, thinking she could do it all and still carry the baby safely to full term. I hate this, Donna inwardly growls as a shot is fired and the tension ups a notch. It wasn't just Ed's stubborn concern that she'd have to work with but her own stubborn refusal to be forced to take a backseat on anything but her own terms. Thankfully for all involved the call ends peacefully, but the tension among the team remains thick as her and Tom head back to the barn in silence.

"Tom…look I know this is…I know I hafta be careful but it hasta be on my terms."

"You and Ed are so alike," Tom smirks. "Neither of you want to recognize your limitations."

"That's not good," she groans, looking out the window with a heavy frown. "I know I hafta be careful…I know that but…"

"And you even sound like him," Tom adds lightly. "But you hate appearing weak and I know that."

"And that's selfish," she merely whispers as her hand rests protectively on her growing belly. "And I know that."

Ed looks up from a desk conversation with Wordy as Donna leads team three back into the barn but directly into a briefing room to close up their case and be ready for the next one.

"That was a bit of a cold look," Wordy mentions as Ed merely purses his lips but says nothing.

"Yeah," is all Ed manages before he turns and heads toward the equipment locker, praying for a hot call to keep his best friend from asking the question he doesn't want to answer. But that plan would be moot.

"Lemme guess…that convo you had with Tom this morning was found out?"

"How'd you know?"

"Saw you two talking and hey I get it…you want her to be careful and protect her but…"

"But she can make up her own mind…"

"No…she's like you, willful and stubborn and trying to tell you anything directly to take it easy when you're injured is moot, you hafta do that on your own."

"And?"

"Just sayin'," Wordy shrugs.

"Just sayin' not to be overbearing and I get that I do…but…I know. I've just never been a father before."

"And I have a wife that's not in the line of fire on a daily basis; really new territory for you," Wordy pats Ed on the back. "You two are just gonna hafta work that out on your own."

"I thought we had on the weekend," Ed groans. But that inner agitation quickly turns to work mode as a hot call for team one is announced sending him and Wordy scrambling for gear and then down into the parking lot.

Donna hears the call and checks the time, knowing that unless her team also has a hot call, or Ed's call ends sooner than expected, they would not be travelling home together. A few hours later, Winnie informs her the call is still in progress and didn't sound close to being resolved.

"Rachel, can I get a ride?"

"Sure."

Donna grabs her coat and heads for the exit doors, emerging into the cool late afternoon air; happy the tense day was over but unaware of the set of evil dark eyes, narrowing as she appears and watching her intently.

"Hello Mrs. Lane," Ida's growled whisper echoes in the empty building she stands hidden in across the street. Not sure of where Donna would be going, Ida foregoes following her, instead turning her attention to the black and silver Ford Flex a few parking stalls over and deciding to wait for Mr. Lane to show up and take the car home; a destination she was still seeking.

She had arrived in Toronto a few hours ago, via boat and then plane, a fake passport and ticket purchased for her by a friend of her late husband; a few extra favors she had no trouble calling in. She had settled a plan in her head on the ride over, determined to find their current place of residence, find something directly across from them if possible; put on a disguise and then strike. And you will feel my wrath – both of you.

"And then…then you'll both die," Ida cackles softly as Donna and Rachel pull away. Ida turns her dark gaze back to the flex and puts her lips into an evil smile. "Soon Constable Lane…very soon."

XXXXXXXX

Ed checks his watch as he heads into the locker room to change, frowning at the hour and wanting nothing more than to get home and see how Donna fared and if there'd be any fallout from his discussion with Tom. What was I thinking, he inwardly groans as he says goodnight to Wordy and heads for the exit door, pulling his jacket closer to his chest and feeling his shoulder starting to ache from the fall he'd taken earlier.

Ed gets into their car and pauses for a few minutes for it to warm up, completely oblivious to the person watching and waiting…waiting for him to pull out and then head for home – a safe haven.

"Evening Constable Lane," Ida whispers as her small dark car pulls into traffic two car lengths behind Ed's.

Not thinking to suspect a tail, Ed heads for home, his mind wondering how much tension he'd be greeted with. Tom had sent him a text saying 'heads up today was tense' but that was it, the rest he'd have to get from his wife. Ed pulls into his assigned parking spot, locks the car and then heads for the elevator, jingling the keys and then stepping into the steel box, the doors closing just as another car pulls up right beside his.

"Donna?" Ed calls out softly as he enters their apartment, his lips automatically smiling at the smell of a home cooked meal. "Smells…good," he mentions as she pops her head around the corner and smiles. But when she turns back and remains in the kitchen, Ed can only frown as he takes off his coat and heads toward her.

"Gotta keep stirring," Donna comments as Ed approaches and plants a soft kiss on her cheek. "Tough call?"

"Tough at first but at least ended with no deaths," Ed sighs as he slightly winces, turning back to see Donna watching him with a suspecting gaze. "Slight tumble."

"Uh huh…my call was good too."

"Look what I said to Tom…" Ed starts only to have Donna turn around and look at him in wonder. "This is all new for me and Wordy can't help and…" he pauses with a heavy sigh, making her face soften. "Did you chew him out?"

"I did and then myself for putting Riley back into the truck and taking the tense call," she groans as she turns back to stirring the stew so the bottom wouldn't burn.

"You what?"

"Look, I'm not used to just doing…I understand your concern also but…" her voice trails off, ending in a soft curse to which Ed's face winces but he remains in place and silent. "This is all new for me too," she confesses as she turns back with a frown. "One moment I feel great and like I could take on the Rock in a one on one wrestling match," she states making him slightly smirk, "and the next I am pulling back on a call that Rachel could easily handle. I'm a mess and I hate it. My emotions…I can't blame the baby…or you or…me…but…stop me would you," she playfully challenges.

"I don't know what to say either?" Ed resigns. "I just mentioned to Tom and I guess he…"

"No, he was very diplomatic about it but I wasn't told and when he started to call out the roles and I…I was surprised."

"Which I know you hate," Ed huffs. "I shoulda told you."

"Heaven help us when I'm too big to run," she laments with a soft smile.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah me too," she agrees. "I guess instead of a big picture master plan we take it one day at a time and see how it goes."

"I think that'll work best."

"Now you know why I never took a desk job."

"Poor office supplies," Ed lightly teases. "Can I help with anything?" He quickly changes the subject, the tension starting to subside and a new plan put in place.

"Actually…yes," Donna remarks as she hands him a block of cheese. "You can grate and then tell me why you're wincing."

The rest of the evening progresses as it normally would, with them enjoying dinner together and then Donna carefully inspecting the bruise on Ed's shoulder, before they were able to close the night with an intimate encounter; the living room curtains already drawn hours ago to keep out any outside onlookers – especially one they weren't even aware of.

"Enjoy your life now while you can…soon it will be no more."

XXXXXXXX

The next morning, Ed slowly opens his eyes to look at Donna still peacefully asleep and can't help but smile at his beautiful wife. He had made a mental pact with himself the night before to try to pull back a little and shelve his concern unless she refused to take it easy. But he knows in his heart that she would never purposely put herself or their child in harm's way, she wants this future just as much as him.

"You know what was great about last night?" Donna asks in a lazy tone as she slowly opens her eyes and looks over at Ed with a tender glance.

"The new position?"

"The fact that I didn't feel the urge to pee almost every hour," she giggles as his lips purse. "In the book it says that morning sickness should abate by the fourth month and I will hafta pee less."

"Great," Ed deadpans.

"But the new position was pretty amazing," she whispers as she leans in closer and kisses him on the mouth. "Just like you are."

"So no more morning sickness?"

"Well it won't happen overnight but I feel pretty great right now despite the tension of the day yesterday."

"How great? What? I'm just askin'," Ed chuckles as her fingers poke his naked chest.

"Early morning meeting remember?"

"Ah right," Ed grumbles as he regrettably pushes himself out of bed and heads for the bathroom. "We can sleep in on the weekend."

"Yes I can't wait for that and then in the afternoon Shelly and I have our spa day on Saturday."

"Day? I thought we had…"

"It's the afternoon unless you wanna come with and get a pedicure?"

"Not on your life," Ed retorts as he closes the bathroom door to shower and shave, Donna laughing as she helps to make the bed. She thinks about her spa outing with Shelly in a few days and smiles, her first real 'girly' adventure since she had gotten married. She and Shelly had really grown close as friends since the miscarriage, being close before but not as close until that night and beyond. She smiles as she thinks about getting her feet done and then coming home and getting a nice relaxing foot massage from her husband; something she had come to enjoy and even crave.

"Okay so…today's gonna be a good day," Donna mentions mostly to herself as they near the barn, Ed glancing over and giving her only a nod but saying nothing in return. However, Donna is quick to jump on his silence with a qualifier. "For both of us right?"

"Copy that," Ed replies making her just shake her head as the car comes to a stop.

"How's the shoulder?"

"I could arm wrestle you and win."

"You won't be saying that after you see me give birth," she retorts and he knows he has no solid comeback, Wordy having told him the strength a woman has when giving birth. Donna looks at Tom as she nears him and offers him a small smile; Ed heading for the locker room and entering amidst some happy team banter both of them starting the day off on the right note.

"So how does it feel? Being pregnant?" Jules wonders.

"I was so scared and nervous at first…because of what happened…last time but now…I actually feel pretty good. My moods are still kinda up and down, poor Ed," Donna lightly chuckles, making Jules smile. "But we are both happy and excited and just taking things as they come. It's hard for me because I'm used to being so…so you know active and such but I know I gotta take it easy," she concludes with a small frown as her hand rubs her belly. "I'm excited."

"Do you guys wanna know?"

"We sorta waffle back and forth," Donna answers with a smile, recalling a fun discussion her and Ed had over name choosing. "Would make it easier to nail down names and such but…but we wanna wait. As long as it's healthy and whole we'll be happy."

"So that's why you kept going to the change room," Jules smirks.

"Didn't want you guys calling me on my weight," Donna retorts lightly.

Rachel comes in to join the discussion to which they talk about the upcoming birth a bit longer before its time to disperse into the field as call comes in and it's all hands on deck.

"You two work things out?" Wordy asks Ed as they stand in the weapons locker gearing up to head out.

"Yeah," Ed nods. "Hard not to worry. She eats something the baby doesn't like and throws up and I go into panic mode. I gotta tell ya…it just brings back that night," Ed huffs as he closes the metal cage door and looks at Wordy with a small smile. "But we're both happy. Talking names now."

"Tell me Donna discounted your idea to have a Don Cherry Lane in there," Wordy smirks as he refers to the Iconic CBC hockey color commentator.

"Don Lane?" Ed shrugs. "Sounds okay."

"Donald duck Lane," Wordy teases, garnering an eye roll from Ed as Spike and Sam walk up.

"What's up?"

"Talkin' baby names," Wordy informs them.

"Spike Lane?" Spike suggests.

"No way, Sam Lane sounds better."

"What if we have a girl?" Ed tosses out.

"Hey I know girls named Sam," Sam sputters in his defense.

"Spikette?" Spike jokes as the overhead paging system erupts to life and their friendly banter is put on hold until a later time. As tense as each call turns out to be, both of them reconvene at the end of the day, tired but content.

"Any…issues?"

"No but the call wasn't that tense," Donna answers in truth as she frowns at the dark bruise on Ed's shoulder.

"That's not new," he rushes in his own defense, bringing a nod to her head.

"Just looks angrier," she comments as they finally head outside, toward their car, talking about the day that just passed and the fact that weekend was only another day away. About ten minutes into their drive home, Ed pauses, making Donna look over and question the silence.

"What? Not a good idea? Ed, if you don't…"

"No, it's just…she feels off today. Maybe needs a tune-up, can you take Shelly's car on Saturday?"

"Sure," Donna complies with a small shrug, not giving the statement too much extra thought. They arrive home and head upstairs, talking about dinner and then back to their original discussion of getting a new entertainment console. After supper Ed does the dishes and then heads into the living room to find Donna asleep on the couch and can't help but smile as he kneels down.

"Shall I carry you two to bed?" He whispers, bringing a soft smile to her face as she mumbles a sleepy 'yes'. Ed gently scoops her in his grasp and carries his wife to their bedroom, gently depositing her onto the soft covers and helping her undress, garnering a playful giggle when his fingers touch a ticklish spot. Within minutes, however, both are snuggled under the blankets, ready to bring the long day to a muchly needed close.

XXXXXXXX

"Okay so are we having supper at Wordy's or here?" Ed calls out from the kitchen.

"Here," Donna laughs. "You know you can't use baby brain as an excuse. We talked about this yesterday."

"Sympathy baby brain?" Ed retorts with his own chuckle as Donna enters the kitchen. "Well I can't say I was having a blond moment," he jokes earning himself a small slap on the forearm and offering her a mock wince.

"Anymore talk like that mister and I'll really get physical."

"Promise?" Ed wags his brows as Donna jus rolls her eyes; the phone ringing a few seconds later.

"Lane residence…call at your own risk," Donna remarks dryly, having already seen the number calling.

"Bad timing?" Shelly asks with a friendly smile.

"Not at all. What's going on?" Donna inquires and then listens to her friend's request before agreeing. "Sure…that will work no problem. Be there in about half hour."

"What happened?"

"Her car ran a flat last night and Wordy is using the Wordsworth mini-bus to take the girls to the zoo. I know you wanted to look at it but…hey you know I'll spring for a cab."

"No it wasn't that bad," Ed insists.

"You sure?"

"Sure," he shrugs as he offers her a small smile. "As soon as you get back I'll take it down to the dealership and get a loaner for tomorrow. It'll be fine."

"Okay that works. We'll be back in time to make dinner," she assures him as she leans in closer for a kiss. "Love you."

"Love you too," Ed replies with a warm smile. "Call if you need anything," he tells her, mostly out of habit; trouble the last thing on his mind. As soon as Donna leaves, Ed quickly changes and the heads back into the baby's room, wanting to finish painting the last wall the olive green color they had decided upon and finish up before the girls got back or Wordy and the kids came over.

XXXXXXXX

"All set?"

"I have been looking forward to this all week," Donna replies to Shelly with a smile as her friend gets into the passenger seat.

"Again about the car…"

"No it's okay. How'd you a flat?" Donna wonders.

"We both tried to figure it out but I think Kevin might drove over a nail or something on his way home last night, you know with the construction at the end of the road and such," Shelly explains. "So what's Ed up to?"

"Painting. He said he might join Wordy at the zoo after he's done but I have a feeling he'll opt out," Donna smirks. "I told him he needs practice being around kids."

"I think that…he…Donna…"

"Yeah she's been running a little rough this…hold on…" Donna's voice strains a little bit more as she pushes her foot all the way down on the brake pedal, getting no response for a few seconds until it finally takes and the car starts to slow. "You know what…Ed said it was fine but…but I think he just presses down…a bit harder, damn this is really slow to stop. I think that…"

"Yeah let's go back to my place and take a cab," Shelly quickly suggests.

"Sorry about this," Donna groans.

"Don't be. Rather be safe than sorry," Shelly assures her.

Donna pulls into the left lane to turn around and head back, her mood a bit glum at the current situation, knowing they might be a bit late, but Shelly calling the salon and telling them they'd had a minor vehicle setback but were still coming.

"They're good."

"Okay…good," Donna pauses as the brakes hang again, her heart rate starting to elevate as her hands clutch the steering wheel a bit harder. "Shelly…"

"Yeah I felt that, can you pull…"

"Hold on…I think…oh damn a hill….just wait…" Donna states in a panic as she tries to cut across another lane, getting honked at but not caring as she offers a wave but continues, her stomach now tight and her mind just wanting to get to the other side, park and call for help.

"We're not slowing…down," Shelly states in a panic.

"I know we…hold on…" Donna continues to push down on the brakes as the start to gain momentum. Not having any place to turn and not wanting to jerk the steering wheel and possibly cause a flip, Donna puts the car into the lowest gear, feeling it slow a little but not enough to actually stop safely.

Then fate decides to lend a cruel hand. Another car on the left, Donna's side, decides to jump the light, heading toward them; perhaps on purpose.

"Oh god no…" Donna whispers as she tries to get out of the way of the sudden oncoming vehicle.

"Donna!" Shelly states in a panic as she looks at the car about to make impact. "LOOK…O…" is all she manages before her hands grab the wheel, not wanting Donna's body to take the full brunt of the impact.

Metal meets metal, two screams are heard and one mocking laugh before the offending car backs up and screams away.

Silence ensues inside.

Rising panic outside.

A/N: *runs and hides* *peeks out from behind couch* don't all hate me okay! no deaths for the goodguys but hey you know who's the baddie here so you knew peril and whump were coming right? Okay so how will Ed react? Will the baby be okay? Will Donna? And what happens next? Please review before you go and thanks so much!