Title: The Devil Wears Vengeance
Chapter 7 – Vengeance Set In Motion

"Ah Spike you've led me to a damn brick wall!" Ed curses as he slams his angry palm on the cold stone and turns and heads back for the door and then toward the stairs.

"What?" Spike asks in shock.

"Boss I can take the south…"

"Spike, check the plans," Greg implores.

"Am looking at them now!" Spike insists.

"Guys, he's escalating," Jules pips up anxiously.

Ed reaches the bottom and then regroups at the truck, more than a little visibly pissed off at whoever was playing games with them. He enters the truck and looks at the blueprints on Spike's screen.

"Here…this passage looks…" Spike pauses with a heavy sigh. "It's right here."

"Well then you have the wrong plans!" Ed growls as he shakes his head. "What year are these?"

"These are the right ones," Spike insists.

"Damn it," Ed curses. "Boss…what's Sam's twenty?"

"Seconds away. I can see Jules and our subject…boss I'm in position on the north side."

"Okay let's try to end this peacefully," Greg's tired voice is heard over the headset. "Ed, join Wordy and wait on my go. Heads up team…I wanna talk this guy down. I don't want a shot taken if we can help it."

"Copy," Ed states flatly as he leaves the truck in anger and a few minutes later is at Wordy's side.

"What was that all about?"

"I don't know…" Ed mutters as he shakes his head, the two of them standing ready for a hard entry behind the closed but unlocked door in case they had to extricate the few people stuck in the small lunch room which would be to their left; the subject and hostage to their right.

About twenty minutes later Greg's hopes for the call are realized, as the mentally and emotionally distraught young man lowers his weapon and surrenders, being taken for immediate treatment, the hostages freed without injury and team one happy that no deaths occurred.

"Damn plans," Ed grumbles in a low tone as he and Wordy pack up and prepare to head for the truck.

"You know it wasn't Spike's fault right?" Wordy stops Ed and talks to just him in a low tone; their headsets now switched off as the call was over.

"Then someone purposely switched them? What the hell for?"

"It could just as easily been Sam or any of us."

"Yeah but it wasn't, was it?" Ed counters with an angry hiss as he pushes past Wordy, his brain now pondering if somehow the same guy that had tampered with his last call was also responsible for this one. "Spike," Ed gets his friends attention as he enters the command truck; Greg, Sam and Jules still working to get the subject into custody and Wordy waiting outside.

"Okay so first I get a laser pointed in my eye and now…" Ed's gruff tone raises and then drops as Greg enters and then looks at both of them in wonder.

"Am I interrupting something?" Greg asks softly.

"No," Spike pipes up in haste.

"Eddie it wasn't Spike's fault."

"The plans…" Spike sighs as he looks up at Ed. "They must not have been updated recently," Spike offers as he looks back down, Ed looking at Greg with a heavy sigh.

"You think someone is messing with us purposely?"

"Two botched orders in two days?" Ed asks weakly.

"Okay…Spike?"

"I can check and see when the plans were last updated but…but it could only be that."

"At least we'll know for sure," Ed huffs as he pushes Greg and heads outside; Greg leaning against the side panel and looking at Spike in wonder.

"At least we'll know for sure," Spike repeats as Greg just smirks and then sighs. "I can't blame him for being frustrated."

"Yeah…I can't either. Just see what you can do."

"Say it," Ed grumbles as he packs his sniper bag in the trunk but doesn't look sideways at his partner; Wordy silently watching him with a concerned expression.

"Nothing to say…the plans weren't updated," Wordy shrugs.

"Right."

Ed quickly closes the back door and heads for the front driver's seat, barely giving Wordy time to get in before he pulls away and heads back to the barn with his mind racing. Wordy foregoes the lecture on him driving in a heated frame of mind, the speeding SVU narrowly missing a car that thankfully had stopped at the last second.

"Next time I'll take a cab," Wordy lightly teases as Ed turns to him with a sharp scowl. "What? You nearly got us killed? Just saying."

Ed says nothing, merely grits his teeth and turns and heads for the stairs wanting nothing more than to go to the gym and wear off as much steam as was lingering inside before he takes any of his frustrated aggression home. He reaches the top of the stairs and enters to see Tom talking to Commander Holleran but Donna not in sight.

"What's going on?"

"Tough call today and Holleran just wanted some details."

"Where's Donna?"

"SIU."

"What…why?" Ed stammers in wonder.

"Well…because she shot someone, dead and that's where we end up," Tom replies tongue-in-cheek. "Don't worry it was a clean shot but its still procedure."

"That's not the point, why the hell was she on the call?"

"Pardon? She cleared herself and the caller asked for her specifically."

"What?"

"Yeah the caller…a young girl, Abbey Fenwick. Donna had connected with her about a year ago and apparently her abusive ex-boyfriend returned and…"

"And she asked for Donna," Ed huffs as he shakes his head. "She shot the boyfriend?"

"She did. I mean good riddance for that kind you know? But still…never an easy day with a shooting. I'm sure she won't be too long."

"Right," Ed nods as Tom gives him a small pat on the shoulder and then pushes past, heading for the locker room and falling into line with Sam as the two new budding best friends start to talk about their weekend plans together.

"Can't believe she went into a heated situation," Ed grits his teeth as he turns and heads for the gym, wanting to work off some steam from his botched day before he confronts his wife whom he thought would be taking it easy. Leaving the grey pants on, Ed strips down to his black tee and starts to punch at the bag, at first light and then about twenty minutes later putting every ounce of aggression he could.

He finally pulls back breathing hard, face flushed and heart racing, his chest slightly heaving as he finally becomes aware of someone watching him; the rest of the SRU headquarters in that area all but quiet.

"Sorry I'm late. Got held up," Donna mentions as she nears.

"I heard," Ed huffs as he punches the bag once again; his body turning away from her.

"Ok-ay. You wanna tell me how your call went?"

"Fine…just…fine," Ed growls as he punches the bag twice and then steps back, his hand starting to slightly sting. "Why were you in the field today?"

"Pardon?"

"Thought you were helping Holleran with a project."

"I was until I was requested at a hot call. I think that was more important."

"You're not allowed."

"What?" Donna asks lightly, her defenses starting to flare up. "What do you mean not allowed?"

"Nothing."

"Ed don't nothing me. You don't control me," she counters as she yanks his arm back from the next punch and then steps back. "What happened today?"

"Nothing!"

"Liar!" She retorts in a firm but soft tone, anger flashing in his sapphire pools before he steps back; his arm wanting to throw another punch but his brain telling him to hold it for now.

"You said you were gonna rest this week."

"And for the most part I did…Ed what happened?"

"Was there any kind of physical altercation?"

"Yeah I had to wrestle two guys the size of Hulk Hogan with one hand tied behind my back," Donna states as she crosses her arm over her chest. "Who gives you the right to question my…"

"I'm your husband!"

"At home…"

"Oh really?"

"Okay that came out wrong. Ed, I'm the leader of my team and I was requested..."

"You coulda sent…"

"Right because my delicate ego can't handle something that you men can right?"

"That's not what I meant," Ed grumbles as they square off in the quiet space.

"What happened today?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing…course always nothing," Donna's lips utter her own growl as she holds her ground. "You had a bad day and you're pissed and are taking it out on me. That's not fair and you know it. Don't make me resent this child, its half you!" She replies with a hint of rising anger. "Now what happened?"

"Two days in a row. Why did you put yourself in harm's way today?"

"Two days in a row what? Another laser pointer incident?"

"No. Why did you have to take the shot?"

"Okay we are going in two different tangents right now. I asked you first and I want some straight answers," she verbally nudges. "What happened today?"

"Spike pulled up old plans and I was sent on a wild goose chase and Sam had to become Sierra one – again."

"And he took another kill shot?"

"No the call ended peacefully."

"So what has you so hot and bothered?"

"Why were you out in the field?"

"Ed, answer the damn question," Donna presses firmly.

"Because I couldn't do my damn job that's why!" Ed fairly shouts and then quickly backs down, shaking his head at his own angry outburst; his heart crucifying him in that second for raising his voice to her. "I…you know? I was asked to be somewhere and couldn't…"

"It wasn't your fault," she reminds him in a kinder tone.

"I know," he shakes his head.

"How'd it end?"

"Greg talked the subject down," he replies with a heavy exhale. "Now what happened?"

"Abby called me today. She's a young girl I had connected with a year ago. She was in trouble, her abusive ex-boyfriend, the controlling ass had taken her hostage earlier and she had escaped and then called me. I got there the same time as him and…and I took him out. There was no physical altercation. It was textbook…look I know you're concerned but this is my job. I'm not a stay at home mom…wife…whatever, you know that."

"I know."

Donna looks at the tension on his face and what was still being held on his frame and feels her core continue to stiffen, her brain warning her that marital strife was something she wanted to avoid.

"I'm not ever going to be one either."

"I know."

"Course you do," Donna shakes her head in frustration, her hand slightly lifting to rub her belly but then dropping back down at her side; Ed's eyes of course picking up the action and his brain registering the reaction and cursing himself for making her agitated.

"We should go."

"No."

"What?"

"Ed I'm not going home with you in this frame of mind. So if you're still pissed at me let it all out now."

"I'm just…frustrated…worried…concerned…pissed okay? Pissed but not at you, not at you," he repeats in a softer tone. "Two days in a row and I feel like someone is playing with us."

"It could be a coincidence."

"It could," Ed agrees as his frown starts to soften. "I'm sorry I yelled."

"Me too. I had to help her Ed. She was desperate and didn't trust anyone. The cops…you remember the case, the cops were the ones that sold her out to that ass. She wouldn't trust anyone but me. It had to be me."

Ed looks at the weary expression on her face, the bruises from the accident a few days earlier appearing to now shine opposite her pale skin and he feels his heart sink.

"Do you want a wife that is a stay at home wife that you don't have to worry about?"

"You were in the car on the way to the spa when you were hit…not at work. I'd still worry," he confesses in truth. "I love you…I love you as you and I want you as you," he tells her in truth, his lips somewhat stumbling over his words. "I'm just…I'm angry and tired and I know that's no excuse…" his voice trails off as he turns away.

Her hand reaches out and gently rests on his bare skin, turning him back to face her directly. "I'd be just as mad as you if that happened to me two days in a row."

"I'm worried."

"Me too. Let's face it Ed, you're not a desk job kinda guy either. But I love you for you and want you for you," she smiles as she repeats his words back to him that he had told her earlier. "I hate when we fight. But I gotta tell ya…I also hate being a caged animal with nothing to do."

"What happens when the baby comes?"

"You think for that year I'll be doing nothing?"

"Never mind," he slightly smirks as she nods her head. "I hate when we fight."

"I know you do, but it's better to leave work at work so if it had to come out, this was the best place to get it out and leave it all here."

Ed gives her a nod before he leans in closer and kisses her on the cheek, whispering I love you and I'm sorry before he pulls back.

"We better leave now."

"Why?"

"Because the manly sweat you worked up is now teasing my hormones," she smirks as his face finally relaxes into a smile. The two of them leave the room, hand in hand, Ed flipping off the light and bathing the previous area in darkness. He grabs his coat and then home is their final destination; talking about Ed's frustration with the dead end from the outdated blueprints and Donna telling him where Abby finally ended up; neither of them giving even one moment's pause about who was playing the frustrating game of cat and mouse with Ed and what it ultimately was leading up to.

An hour after dinner, Ed goes in search of Donna and finds her in the baby's room practicing her relaxation; a frown forming as he watches. She had felt a bit stiffer than normal as soon as they got home and went right into their heated sexual workout. He mentally curses himself for coming down hard on her at work; his own inner concerns still no reason to cause tension to her and the baby.

"Hey," she utters softly as she opens her eyes and looks at him watching her. "Just a bit of tension from the day."

"Right."

"Come join me."

"Donna."

"Ed…that's not a request," she slightly smirks as she holds out her hand. Without much ammunition to argue, he heads for her and then slides in behind, her body resting back against his and his legs up against hers. She takes his hands and then instructs him to close his eyes and breathe along with her, their hands then resting on her belly as the relaxation video for pregnant mothers had taught them. "Too tense to sleep."

"Donna…"

"Don't keep beating yourself up for this Ed."

"I just don't want anything to happen to you two," he whispers in her ear, his face pressed up against his and his hands gently resting on her warm belly.

"It won't."

They linger closely together for another half hour, the session concluding with both of them feeling rested and her inner agitation almost subsided; Ed's tension nearly dissipated as well. They both then climb into bed, snuggled in each other's embrace and greet the night with settled minds and hearts; their sleep is sound and her plan a success.

The next day starts out the way the other few had previously, a brief but nutritional breakfast and then out the door to work, Donna telling Ed that she was okay for the field again and would resign herself to her 'real' position of negotiator and leave the physical stuff to the rest of her team. Ed having really no choice but to comply. Fortunately for Ed the day comes and goes without incident, prompting him to head for the locker rooms with more of a settled mind.

"Better day," Wordy comments as Ed reaches for his jacket.

"And for that I am grateful. These last two days I swear I wouldn't have been surprised if she filed for divorce," he lightly jokes.

"Nah…she knows you," Wordy teases as he nods and then closes his locker, telling him 'goodnight' and he's seem him tomorrow.

"Better day?"

"Much," Ed greets her with a warm kiss as they head for their car. "And you?"

"Much as well," she agrees as they get in, not realizing that they were once again being lulled into a false sense of security. They talk about their day, the tension from the other two now almost a distant memory. An enjoyable evening follows, Ed telling her that the past two days mishaps aren't even mentioned and that it was seeming as if was back to business as usual.

XXXXXXXX

"Three incident free days in a row," Wordy comments as Ed enters the locker room early Friday morning.

"You know it," Ed replies with a broad smile. "Just today and then the weekend."

"Big plans?"

"Think we'll just take it easy. We had thought about our weekend at the Royal York but Donna's ribs are still a bit sore and she really wants to enjoy the massage. How's Shelly?"

Ed and Wordy talk a bit more before Ed goes in search of Spike to see if there was anything more about the Carl Hernandez case that needed follow up. "Spike!" Ed calls out just before his fellow team member disappears into the weapons locker.

"Hey Ed."

"Anything more come from the Carl Hernandez case?"

"No…why?"

"That gut feeling you had?"

"I just started a search on something and should know by the time we get back from either a call or patrol."

"What's up?"

"It was the picture of a tat that…"

"Morning, Eddie, Spike," Greg greets them as he nears. "Ed you got a minute?"

"Sure."

"I'll let you know what I find later."

"Boss…what's up?"

XXXXXXXX

"Back in the field today?"

"Ready, willing and able," Donna gives Tom a small smile. "The past few days have been good but I'm ready for a full day; yesterday was too easy," she smirks.

"How's Abby?"

"She's with her aunt now and doing much better. I'm not sorry he's dead…really I'm not."

"I don't think any of us are. You two going to the York this weekend?"

"No I tried to lay on my right side last night for longer than about half hour and it was still sore so I know for her to press down on it might not work just yet and I can't exactly lay on my belly," Donna smirks as she rubs her growing bump. "'sides he won't admit it but I know Ed's trying to delay the male massage."

"They're not that bad."

"Yeah but you like them."

"It's his first," Tom smirks. "When Angela started giving me massages they were good but more pleasurable than practical. Now I go and see Hans and…"

"Hans?"

"Yeah he's Swedish. What?" Tom asks weakly as she chuckles, the overhead announcement calling out a hot call and her watching Team One coming rushing from their meeting room and hurrying to the weapons locker.

"Their fun starts early," Gary remarks as he nears them.

"Well how about we go make our own fun. To the patrol cars Robin," she smirks as both men give her a mock salute and then turn and run toward the weapons locker, making her chuckle before she goes to round up the rest of her team. As she pulls some extra gear for the truck, her mind thinks to the weekend ahead, Ed having made them dinner reservations at their favorite restaurant for a night of fine dining and some dancing; a real treat they hadn't enjoyed in months.

She heads into the field, the news reports coming over the wire that it was a tense standoff that included a possible bomb threat and maybe already one or two fatalities with an active shooter still on the loose inside the building.

"What a mess," Donna groans as the brief from Winnie concludes.

"And it's still going. They haven't called for backup yet?"

"I guess they don't want any more bodies around there than necessary," Donna shrugs as they head back to the barn. It was already late afternoon and the sun would be setting in a few hours, her mind and heart hoping the call would end well before then so that her and Ed could head home, unwind and then start their weekend together.

"Maybe," Tom agrees as they pull into the secured underground parking lot. Donna absently heads for Winnie's desk, giving her a small smile.

"What's the staus?"

"They…" Winnie starts only to slightly wince; Donna's face instantly begging for an explanation.

"Shots fired. Shots fired!" Sam's voice is heard as Winnie presses the speaker button so that Donna and now Tom approaching could hear.

"Sam talk to me."

"Boss the gunman just moved into another room and fired a few shots. If there are hostages in there we're blind. We now have an active shooter on the move once again. Damn it!"

"I have no joy," Jules is heard.

"Spike why are we in the dark there?"

"No camera. Ed what's your twenty?"

"Wordy and I are in the basement heading north. Should be there in…"

"What the hell is that?" Wordy's anxious voice is heard, making everyone on team one and those listening stop in wonder.

"Wordy, talk to me," Greg instructs.

"Boss, Ed and I just found a secondary device."

"What? Where?" Spike asks in haste.

"Basement, third room from the north stairwell we just came down. The situation here is getting worse not better," Ed replies, Donna's heart now anxious that her husband is not only in the middle of a hot call with an active shooter on the move and one explosive device but now another explosive device to deal with as well.

"Okay Spike, are you finished with the first?"

"Yes. The first one is neutralized and I'm packing up now."

"Sam, keep following the shooter if possible."

"Guys something…" Spike's voice is heard before it stops.

"Something what?" Ed demands.

"Oh, not good. It started up again," Spike states in a panic.

"What?" Both Jules and Greg ask at the same time.

"Someone has remotely started the time and…with only fifteen seconds to…." Spike's voice trails off as he tries to rush out of the room.

"Get out of there!" Sam shouts into the headset.

"Ed!" Wordy hisses.

"Oh damn!"

"Ed? What's going on there?"

"The timer on this device just started to speed up also…fifteen seconds! Ed!" Wordy shouts.

"Get out of there now. MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!" Greg's voice demands.

"Wordy, to the left! To the left!"

"No Ed…not…."

"Wor…" is all Ed manages before a sickening sound is heard, followed by static.

**BOOM**

Donna hears Ed's voice die out in an anguished cry at the same time her legs buckle; both worlds crashing into darkness.

A/N: oh yeah um sorry? Lol not really you all knew Ida would toy with them a little and then strike right? Hehe…the details of the call itself up next so please do review before you go and thanks so much!