Title: The Devil Wears Vengeance
Chapter 11 – To Dance with the Devil

As Spike and his team now consisting of Riley and Annabelle scour the security recordings and Ed's past cases for clues and cross references, Donna slips away into the team one meeting room for a few moments to herself, the child inside a little more agitated than usual.

"It's okay little one…we'll have daddy back with us soon…" her voice softens to a breaking point, "very…soon…oh god I hope it's soon."

Her hand gently rubs her belly as her eyes close for a few seconds, her mind picturing the two of them in the doctor's office and their happy faces upon hearing the good news. For a few brief moments, the world slow, she hears Ed's warm voice in her ear telling her how much he loves her, feeling his lips on her cheek and her heart about to burst with happiness. But a sharp intake of air forces her eyes open as she hears herself calling his name….seeing the blood in the blast debris and realizing that there is still the chance her happy future might not be realized.

"Ed…" she allows his name to escape her lips and die in the stale air around her; her mind finally sensing she's not alone and turning to see Greg watching her in concern.

"I sent Wordy home to shower and rest up and…"

"I'm not leaving Greg."

"At least go and have a shower…clean up and just rest in the back. Spike will tell us if he finds anything and…"

"Greg…" she frowns as he nears.

"He won't leave anything unturned. The switch thing…that makes sense now he just needs to follow the other cars around that same time and…it was a good lead, we'll find him."

"There was blood."

"Spray like that. Could be nose…mouth…"

"Head…"

"I'm just as worried but you…you also need to rest okay? Stress can cause premature labour and…"

"And our child would die…" she is forced to miserably acknowledge. "I can't let that happen. Greg…I'm scared. I hate to admit it but…" her voice trails off as he gathers her into his arms and gives her a warm hug. "I am."

"I am too. Eddie's a close friend and…we'll find him," Greg pulls back and tells her seriously. "Please….just rest okay?"

"Okay."

Donna watches Greg take his leave and then looks down at her wedding ring and feels her eyes well once more; her dark blond lashes rapidly blinking to keep them at bay and her lungs taking in a deep breath to try to calm the ensuing emotional tsunami.

"Daddy's going to be fine," she tries to soothe her aching belly as she finally leaves the team one meeting room and heads for the locker. Once she gets inside, a small duffle bag with her name is on it.

"We thought you'd be staying here," Jules voice is heard as Donna looks up to see her watching. "From us gals…we will find him."

"He's injured and…and I just can't find a motive…there's been no calls which means…"

"It's personal. Yeah this…this is tough for all of us," Jules offers as she nears; a sympathetic expression on her face. "I know you've heard this but he would want you to just take it as easy as possible."

"I know. I just wish we knew…something."

"I'll check with Spike and then…"

"Head home. Tom said he'd stay and I know Wordy has gone to get cleaned up also. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Jules offers as they both share a brief hug and then Donna watches Jules leave the locker room, silence ensuing as she looks back down at the duffle back. "From us," she softly reads, smiling at the names of Jules, Rachel and Shelly. She opens the bag and looks with a grateful expression at the fresh change of clothes and a few other things a woman would need to freshen up.

Donna gathers up the duffle bag and heads for the largest shower stall with the change room right off the side; slowly stripping from her dust coated uniform and stuffing her hair into a loose bun on her head. She turns on the hot water, allowing the streams to fill the space with warm steam, closing her eyes for a second. Her hands rest on her naked stomach as her mind pictures her and Ed sharing a sexual moment in the shower together, his strong hands on her belly the morning after they were told they would be having a baby.

"Oh Ed…" she whispers as a small tear escapes from under the close lid and slides down her flushed cheeks. But as soon as she opens her eyes, a face from the past appears for a few seconds, forcing her to suck in her breath and curse. "She's…dead," Donna growls as she grabs the soap and steps under the warm streams; her mind now pondering who 'alive' could be responsible for her husband's disappearance.

Just remember I love you Ed…no matter what…I love you.

XXXXXXXX

With the blindfold now removed Ed could finally take stock of the shape of his wounded leg and what his dire surroundings consisted of. But his mind has his eyes fixed on one thing and one thing alone – his merciless captor. A person they all thought dead; a person who had played them all – evilly and expertly.

Ed's entire frame seizes as the smartly dressed figure of Ida Logan comes a step closer; the brick wall he's bound fast too of course offering him no escape route. His heart starts to beat faster as she leans in closer; his chest heaving, pressing against his broken ribs and his mind silently yelling out in agony.

"Did you miss me?" She asks with an evil smile; her lips slowly twisting upward as she gazes upon her helpless prisoner.

"You're…alive."

"I'm very much alive. Which is more than I can say for you. I see Mickey has worked his magic on you Constable Lane," Ida offers in a low tone as her icy cool fingers rest on his enflamed chest, applying a bit of pressure to the jagged bone, making him instantly cry out in pain. "Skin is intact…for now."

"We got…the report that..."

"Sending me back to the country I love so dear might wasn't really a wise move on anyone's part…in the end it would never betray me," she smiles at him; Ed merely looking up with an angry scowl. "The expression…your pain looks legitimate Constable, something I will delight in until I put you out of your misery – for good."

"How many?"

"How many what?"

"How many lives…did you take…" Ed tries with a small gasp as she leans in closer once more.

"I have only two more to take and then I'm done," she utters as her fingers reach out and grasp his chin; his brain unable to jerk his head away in time. "Your wife…I saw her earlier…seems very worried. I think at one time…she nearly fainted."

"Bitch," Ed growls in an angry undertone.

"That I am," Ida smiles. "But tell me. Did you at least tell your wife you loved her this morning? Because when she's brought here…you two won't be allowed much face to face time. I wasn't with my beloved Callum when he died and…"

"It wasn't…our fault!" Ed's angry tone bellows, earning himself a hard slap from Ida's hand mere seconds after it had released his chin.

"It was Mrs. Lane's team. And since she is the one that got away then…"

"You leave…her alone!" Ed hisses as his fists curl in the iron clamps held fast against the wall. Ida looks at him in wonder.

"Oh we all have to go sometime. Take comfort that you won't be the only Lane suffering a painful death."

"You touch her and…"

"I plan to do more than that."

"She suffered enough…because of YOU!" Ed shouts; his lips offering a painful gasp as his leg sustains a kick from Mickey O'Brien, Ida's long time right hand; his twin brother Miles the one working the computer stuff and trying to keep one step ahead of Spike.

"Enough Mickey…you'll have Constable Lane here all to yourself very soon."

"Callum died…"

"He never should have gone to prison!" Ida hisses.

"He broke…the law," Ed manages with a labored gasp.

"Oh I will so enjoy watching your wife in as much pain as you. I wonder how long she'll last. As long as you? Care to place a friendly wager?"

"You go near her…"

"Oh I already have gone near. At this moment I know exactly where she is and what she's doing…" Ida smiles evilly. "Too bad she can't say the same for you."

"You leave…HER ALONE!" Ed shouts once more, his throbbing frame bracing for another blow. Ida's hand holds Mickey back with a simple gesture; Ed's mind uttering a rather grateful sigh for the small reprieve.

"Oh she will pay…she will bleed…and she will beg me for mercy," Ida spits back. "She will be here…on her knees and she…will die!"

"LEAVE HER…ALONE!" Ed shouts back as his body painfully thrashes in place.

"You really are in no place to make demands."

"She will kill…you," Ed offers just as Ida turns back.

"I don't think so. Have you enjoyed married life together so far?"

"Listen to me…" Ed starts.

"HAVE YOU!" Ida shouts back; Ed's face involuntarily wincing and Mickey standing as a nearby spectator with an amused smirk on his face.

"Yes. And you won't…destroy that!" Ed promises.

"I did once before."

"No…no you didn't," Ed shakes his head as he tries in vain to swallow; his throat dry and his tongue unable to find the needed saliva. "You were…stopped. She's alive and…that whole imm…"

"Oh I'm not talking about the first round with the immigration fiasco."

"What…are you talking…about?"

"I'm meaning something a little…" Ida turns and walks back up to Ed, "more…" she leans in closer, "personal," she concludes by whispering in his ear.

"Personal…what…the hell do you…mean?"

"I have a few things to tend to Constable Lane but let me leave you with this parting thought…your child…"

"What?" Ed's stomach tightens and his heart rate instantly soars. "You listen to me…"

"Oh I see I struck a nerve with that so I'll continue. Your child…"

"What about it? You leave them…" is all he manages before Ida pulls back with a scowl.

"Them?"

"What?" Ed looks at her with a heavy frown.

"You...said...them," Ida states purposely.

"Listen to me…" he starts in a low growl.

"Leave them…you can't…oh dear god how…how did I miss that?" Ida curses her own miscalculation.

"WHAT?" Ed shouts as Ida stands up and looks down Ed with narrowed eyes; an expression of pure hatred starting to cross her aged features.

"Well…well…well…" Ida utters slowly as Ed feels his stomach sink. "So your wife is pregnant…thank you."

WHAT? Had he just been played? Had Ida expertly played upon his ultimate fear and made him confess that his beloved wife is expecting when possibly she didn't know? But then what? What was she getting at earlier?

"You go near…"

"You just sealed both their fates Constable Lane by your own undoing."

"No…" Ed's words die in his throat at the sickening realization.

"Mickey…with me. I have a new plan for Mrs. Lane."

"NO!"

"We'll speak again Constable."

"IDA! IDA!" Ed shouts as he watches them turn and leave him in his dungeon-like cell. "NO!" Ed shouts again as he tries in vain to pull himself free, the soft flesh around the iron shackles cutting into his tender skin; the broken ribs in his chest yelling at him to remain still, but his heart aching that he'll now be forced to watch his wife and their unborn child pay the ultimate price for his inner fears.

"No…oh god no…what have I done? What have…I done?" Ed laments as the angry sapphire pools finally unleash their fury.

XXXXXXXX

"Feel better?" Tom asks in a concerned tone as he carefully enters the locker room; spying Donna on the bench in a fresh change of clothes.

"I'm clean," she tells him in truth. "Does that count as better?"

"Agitation isn't good for the baby," Tom reminds her in a warm tone as he sits down beside her on the bench.

"Spike find anything?"

"He's ruled out a few. Riley has traced the faulty plans back to…"

"The dead guy?" Donna ventures, earning a head nod from Tom and then frowning. "Whoever has set this up…Tom I have been going over and over in my mind…I mean this guy…he'd have to be a computer expert and…"

"I know. Spike said that too. To be able to hack into Ed's headset and…what is it?"

"Just…Spike has swept the barn for anything…intrusive right?" Donna wonders.

"He did and he found an open portal."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means up until about fifteen minutes ago, someone was able to…"

"See what the hell we were up to and stay…"

"One step ahead…yeah," Tom concludes with a heavy sigh. "But now that that's been closed maybe Spike can start to find something…" Tom stops as Donna pulls away and stands up. "Just wait a sec. It's good that it has been…"

"I want to know where he is…I hate these damn games!" She turns back in anger.

"We will, but if this guy has gone through this much trouble to play these games…he wants something else. Otherwise…"

"He'd kill Ed and be done with it and send us proof," she resigns as she slumps back against the locker. "The hacker…whoever he is…does he know we are on to him?"

"Spike…the guy is a genius…sent him down a wild goose chase…don't ask me how I have no clue half of what he said he was going to do. I don't speak geek. But the gist is the guy will think Spike is spending all his time looking at Ed's old arrests and who might have motive."

"But in reality they are looking at…"

"Everything else," Tom agrees and then pauses as he watches her expression change. "What is it? Something else?"

"I know this might sound stupid but…Tom I can feel him…he's in pain and…I just…he's in pain."

"Figured he would be right?"

"Right," she agrees as her team leader slowly stands up.

"How's the baby feeling?"

"The agitation has subsided," she tells him truthfully. "But I don't mind helping. You know I can't go home…can't even lie down in our bed when he's not…I would see him…us…and without him…Tom without Ed…there is no us. I have to future."

"I already told Anna I'm pulling an all-nighter so she knows I'm here. Come on."

"I just have to get a hair clip. Meet you out there."

"Okay."

Donna looks at her locker at the picture of her and Ed on their wedding day and tries to smile. "I will find you…I swear I will find you."

XXXXXXXX

As the silence continues to pummel his captive frame, Ed finally is able to see just what kind of predicament he's in. He quickly looks down at his right thigh and grumbles. A thick bandage was wrapped around the original wound that Ida had made; the bandage that had been blood soaked earlier was now a bit dried around the edges and caked with dirt from the floor. He looks over the rest of his bare legs and aside from a few cuts and bits of dirt clinging to the sweat soaked hair, nothing else was in dire need of medical repair. He glances down as best he can, trying to spy the damage on his chest. He sees the odd shape near the end of his ribcage and knows that another hit will send the jagged edge of the rib through his tender skin; a painful death if too much air would be allowed inside.

The bits of tee shirt hanging on either side only make him frown but as he lifts his gaze to study his wrists his panic soars. The metal cuffs were old but sturdy and solid; keeping him fast hold in an upright seated position. But the position was anything but comfortable; his arms begging for some relief from their taut position and his chest still finding breathing labored.

He didn't know his head was cut from the explosion or if his face had sustained cuts although his right eye feels a bit swollen; although he might be able to thank Mickey O'Brien for that. How'd he get out of prison? And if Mickey was out was Miles also? Was he now going head to head with Spike? Was he the one that changed all the computer plan? Were they to blame for those games? Was that their doing? All of it? If so that could only spell trouble.

Ida Logan…bitch is alive…his mind offers in misery. The one person he fears the team would never even think to look at was the one now calling all the shots.

If she hurts Donna…

"Can't…let that happen," Ed mutters to himself as his eyes water once more. His lips utter another anguished groan as he tries in vain to find any kind of give for his wrists; his aching chest begging him to stay put and wait for help. What if help doesn't come. Donna…she can't come here…she can't be taken…I can't watch her suffer and die…oh god please let her be safe…please. He pulls again, the burning inside his chest, begging at him to rest, reminding him if the jagged bone pierces the skin and air gets inside without being sealed he'd be dead.

He thinks about what might happen if Donna were captured by Ida and what he would have to be forced to watch. I couldn't take it…couldn't handle seeing her suffer like that…not her…not our child…I couldn't…his mind swirls as his eyes water and his dry throat tries to swallow once more. It can't…it can't end like this. Not like this. Please god…not like this.

Ed finally hears a soft shuffling and looks up with a watery narrowed gaze to see Mickey watching with a smug expression. "What the hell…do you want now?"

"Who me? Oh I'm merely passing time. So…Mrs. Lane is with child. Don't think Ida was too pleased to hear that…"

"Go…to hell!"

"Oh that's where I'll end up…eventually," Mickey snickers as he remains leaning against the cold brick wall.

"Where…am I?"

"Close to home."

"What?" Ed asks in shock. "Where? Tell me...what you really...want!"

"I am amazed at the audacity to demand of me something…when really you are in no position to demand anything…at all…from anyone."

"You'll never win…none of you…EVER!" Ed shouts back; as his dry throat finally gives way and he offers painful cough, his enflamed chest offering a few labored wheezes. Stop shouting…his brain correctly commands.

"Look around you Lane," Mickey smiles as he leaves his resting place and takes a step forward. "See anyone coming to your aid? Huh? No…and you won't…you're alone…you won't be rescued – EVER!" Mickey shouts in return. "But…" he pauses as he pulls out a knife. "I can extend you some mercy now."

"Go to hell," Ed spits.

"You say the word…and I promise I'll be quick and merciful."

"You…"

"Spare you the torment of seeing your wife and unborn child slowly die…painfully die…the last memory before…beg me Lane."

"Go to…"

"You beg for their life and I'll spare…"

"Listen…"

"It's simple Lane…you beg me…give me what I want and I spare them."

"You're…lying."

"No. Ida wants Donna to suffer. She took Ida's husband and Ida takes…." Mickey looks directly at him. "Well you get the picture. Your death ensures their freedom…both of them."

"Liar..."

"Actually I have…"

"LIAR!"

"SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!" Mickey shouts back. "I give you my word and I have this cleared with Ida. You give me what I want and I promise their lives will be spared."

"What…" Ed's lips pause as his brain yells at him. What are you doing? Saving them. I couldn't watch her suffer…I betrayed her…Ida didn't know and my fear…I did this. I can't let them come here…can't watch them die.

"If you don't give me what I want…I promise I'll personally bring your wife here…strip her bare and kill her slowly and painfully while you helplessly WATCH! Think you'll be able to drown out her…"

"Bastard…" Ed curses as Mickey smiles.

"Oh you have no idea."

"BASTARD!" Ed shouts with a hoarse cough.

"So…what's your answer?" Mickey presses with a mean glare.

"What…do you want?" Ed asks in emotional defeat.

"Better."

XXXXXXXX

Donna and Tom continue to work in the team one meeting room on paper files of Ed's cases, Donna offering names and Tom on the laptop checking the databases for any current whereabouts of who might have the motive and means to kidnap Ed.

"Really…nothing yet?"

"We'll keep at it. Someone has him…he didn't just disappear," Tom assures her as Spike, Riley and Greg slowly enter; making both Donna and Tom pause in their duties and look up in expectation.

"Spike please tell me you found something," Donna half pleads.

"Yeah a few more dead ends," Riley groans; his team supervisor looking over in haste and him offering an instant frown.

"Spike?"

"Riley's right…we checked all the cars exiting the bridge cover for the next hour that passed. We were able to track about 80%..."

"Why only 80%?"

"Some left the city…some went into areas with no traffic cameras and some…"

"So once again the bastard holding my husband hostage is holding all the cards and laughing in our faces right now and we have NOTHING!" Donna shouts, shaking her head and turning away in frustration.

Just as the silence starts to mount, her phone buzzes to life; her fingers scrambling to answer it and her mind racing as to what could be the reason for the call. But as she stares at the text a small curse is heard as Tom dares to approach her.

"Who's it from?"

"Ford…the um…the car is ready and…" she wipes away a few fresh tears as she looks back at Spike. "Sorry I yelled."

"It's okay," Spike acknowledges. "The accident..."

"Your car?" Riley inquires.

"From the accident when Shelly and I were hit…the guy that died…yeah…all that," her voice trails off as she saves the message and then looks at Tom.

"The accident…" Spike muses as his brain quickly zooms back in time; placing him and Ed inside the apartment of the dead driver Carlos and his eyes resting for a few seconds on something that at the time might have seemed…unnecessary.

"Spike…what is it?" Greg gently questions.

"The car accident."

"We checked all that remember?"

"Carl Hernandez is dead and so is…"

"No…it was something else," he quickly pulls his phone. "Winnie…get me the evidence box on the Carl Hernandez hit and run."

"Spike you think something in the hit and run evidence is still relevant?" Greg wonders.

"What was it Spike?" Donna presses. "What might help us now?"

"A photograph…just something in it…"

"What?"

"At the time it was nothing. Right now, maybe more. It's just a…a hunch," Spike tells him before he darts out of the room with Riley in tow.

"Go," Greg nods.

"Riley has a new hero," Tom quips lightly as he looks over at Donna. "Hey I'll trust Spike's hunch any day."

"Me too," Donna whispers as Tom's hand gives her shoulder a small squeeze. "I'll call Ford back right now."

"We'll go help Spike," Tom states as he and Greg leave the room. But just before Donna can make the call, Shelly calls her and the two of them start to talk a little; allowing time for Spike and Riley to get into their search.

"Kevin's just having something to eat and then he'll be on his way back. I know you have heard this before but you should be resting."

"I can't…I feel like a caged mother bear seeing her helpless cub on the other side without having any opportunity to help…I can't…Shelly…"

"I can't imagine the feeling," Shelly offers softly. "But if you can just rest then…please do."

"I'll call you as soon as we know…something. Thank you."

Donna hangs up with her close female friend and then looks at the time. Nearly an hour had passed since Spike had left the room to follow a hunch and by now something should be known. Her phone beeps with message from Ford, reminding her to call the dealership to tell them she'd pick up the car in a day or two and to hold it for them. But just before Donna can make the call, her phone once again buzzes to life; drawing her eyes downward at the name and forcing her mouth to gasp.

Text with picture attachment from E. Lane.

"Oh god what…" she mutters as she dares to open the message.

A/N: Uh oh….who is calling Donna? What message will she receive? What action will she take? What will Spike find? And where will it lead team one? Will Ed be found alive? And what other terrible secret is Ida going to reveal to the Lane's? hope you are all still with me as we work toward the final showdown and please do review before you go and thanks so much!