Title: City Under Siege
Chapter 4 – Counting the Final Cost
As much as he wants to rush in and help pull his wife free, he knows he now has to stand back and wait as the team of skilled extraction medics works to get her secured onto the backboard and ready for transport. Time seems to slow for Ed and he can only curse his agitation as he watches the yellow backboard being maneuvered into the wider opening and two of the medics blocking his view as his wife is gently lifted onto the board and gently prepared for movement. His teeth grit as he hears her biting back a painful gasp and then trying to falsely assure those around her that she was indeed okay.
"Ed," Donna's lips whisper as she's finally able to turn and see him watching her with a strained smile. Her eyes naturally water as the medics gently drape a blanket over her slightly trembling frame and its all hands on deck to get her pulled out safely.
"You're safe now," Ed tells her in a soft whisper as the team carefully heads toward the opening to go out; the last piece of standing concrete watches before it too finally gives way to fatigue and everyone slightly jumps as the rumble shakes the floor beneath their feet.
"Sergeant Lane you say there was only one person in the direct vicinity of the bomb?"
"Anson Holt…had the bomb strapped…to his chest," Donna replies weakly but in truth. "No one else."
"Okay thanks. Team there is no way he would have survived the blast. This no longer a rescue or recovery mission. Let's pack up our gear and let the construction crews do the rest. Constable Lane is there any part of that bomb that you might need for evidence."
"Negative we know who we're after," Ed replies firmly. "Boss?"
"Team is working to diffuse the last one Ed. Your work there is done."
"And the rest of the team?"
"Sam got a bit singed but everyone is accounted for. We're just now racing to find the last one."
"Okay, we're getting into the ambulance now. Be there shortly."
"Copy."
Ed finishes with Greg and watches as Donna's gently lowered onto a real stretcher, strapped down for the ride to the stadium where a team of medics would work to get her injuries worked on in an isolation area so she could go through the decontamination process as well and minimal time would be wasted. Ed slides onto the bench, the glove back on his hand and cursing the fact that he couldn't even hold his wife's hand on the way to the stadium.
Donna finally frees her hand and reaches out to Ed's gloved one, not caring about the rough fabric that now impedes their touch as she knows as soon as they reach the stadium, she'll be whisked into surgery and him to rejoin the rest of Team One until either the vengeful bomber was taken down for good, or if he was already they could be reunited in a safe environment.
Ed silently watches the medic working on his wife; his eyes resting on the matted crimson sludge on the pale skin above her forehead, decorating her dusty, dirty blond hair with reddish bits. She had a nasty scrape on her cheek and her face winced with every movement from the speeding ambulance but she was alive and that's all that really mattered.
"How bad…is she?" Ed asks in concern.
"Feels like a few broken ribs, broken wrist but won't know for sure until we get her into x-ray and surgery. She said it feels tight to breathe but there is no whistling and so far she's not in distress so no punctured lungs. But it's hard to tell from this."
"Lost my phone," Donna huffs as she looks up to see Ed giving her a weak smile. "And headset."
"Sorry about the glove," Ed comments as his eyes rest on his wife's pale expression and frowns.
"I know. The radiation. They told me. How's my team?"
"Donna…"
"Ed, just tell me. Who um…did I lose anyone?"
As soon as she sees his jaw tighten behind the face shield her own stomach tightens and her eyes instantly water. "Who?" She begs in sorrow.
"Jimmy. Donna I'm so sorry," Ed laments in a soft tone as he reaches for a Kleenex and gently dabs the tears away, once again cursing that his bare skin couldn't offer her some tender comfort in her time of emotional distress. "Riley and Gary both went into surgery but should be fine."
"Jimmy…Ed he…he pushed me to where I was and I thought…oh damn I thought he made it," her voice cracks as she turns away and squeezes her eyes shut, clenching her jaw tight.
"I know it doesn't mean that much but he didn't suffer," Ed adds as she turns and looks at him and slowly nods. "Rachel got a broken arm and Richard a nasty cut to his leg but they'll be okay. Everyone's at the stadium."
"Roy?"
"He's fine. And…he actually had the license in his pocket," Ed remarks lightly as her eyes water and she nods. "Donna…I'm so sorry."
"Damn it Ed, I hate feeling weak and emotional."
"Think you've earned it after all this."
"You're making supper tonight," she lightly quips as his lips offer a small chuckle and he nods and sniffs back some fluid emotion.
"That's okay," Ed nods in agreement as he smiles down at her and his gloved hand around hers tightens. "I don't mind." But as he sees her wince once more as her body tries to shift, he stiffens in place and his panic soars. "Donna?"
"Just…hurts…"
"Where?"
"Everywhere," she huffs as she settles back down. "Trust me I did not just survive hell only to die on you on the operating table. You are stuck with me mister."
"I hope so…for a very long time," he replies in a soft tone as the speed of the ambulance starts to decrease as they near the stadium. "Okay once we get there I'm going to go and see the boss and get a status update but I'll be waiting once you're allowed back into general population."
"Be afraid," she quips lightly as she bites back a painful gasp with the ambulance's somewhat sudden halt.
"I love you," Ed offers tenderly as he squeezes her hand once more, knowing that she'd be taken away for at least a few hours until everything was complete.
"I love you too," she whispers as the back doors open and the medics prepare to join the melee inside the stadium. Ed hangs back and watches as Donna's stretcher is gently pulled away from beside him and taken toward the entrance to the stadium, a special area set up for those coming in with the radiation exposure and treated away from those without.
As he goes in search of Greg, Ed's fingers slowly peel away the protective suiting so that by the time he reaches Greg, the suit is gone only his SRU uniform is exposed.
"They just took Donna into surgery; she'll be okay."
"Thank god Eddie," Greg whispers as he gives Ed a brief but comforting hug. "But we're not done yet."
"Okay so what's the status Sam?"
"We put out the four bombs and we're almost all at the stadium," Sam's voice is heard as he and Tom near in one of the SUV's; Wordy and Spike in the other and Jules the lone occupant in the third.
"Any idea as to the location of the final bomb?" Ed asks in haste as Greg looks at him in concern. "What?"
"Team I think I know where the last bomb is…it's here at the stadium," Greg informs them gravely.
"The bomb's right there in the stadium? How can you be sure?" Jules asks Greg in a panic.
"I'm not, but wouldn't that explain why Marcus didn't have the location for the last bomb?" Greg replies heavily. "Best chance is finding the bomb and diffusing it."
"Talk is not an option with Marcus."
"Yeah copy that."
"If you're Marcus you want maximum damage from a single bomb right?" Ed asks Greg. "He knows that bomb will not take that stadium down and this is his grand finale. He's going to put that bomb someplace up high where everyone will be exposed."
"Okay everyone listen up…" Greg's voice starts to direct as Ed's eyes instantly start to scan the area above; frantically searching for something that would seem out of place. Of course he didn't expect it to be visible as he knows Marcus isn't your typical run of the mill baddie; he's cold, calculating and intelligent – a very dangerous combo.
"Okay team fan out and take one of the Uni's with you. Check every thing," Ed adds a few other instructions before he turns and gives Greg a firm nod. "No chances – that goes for all of us. No one try to be a hero. He'll take us any way he can so let's try to take him first."
"We stop this guy today Eddie, no matter what."
"No matter what," Ed whispers as he gestures to one of the Uni's to follow and hurries toward one of the stairwell; team one dispersing in all directions as the frantic search gets underway. Trying to push aside the fact that his wife's precious life was still in danger, he tries to focus on finding Marcus and getting the last bomb taken care of before it inflicted more hateful damage upon a city already under siege.
Ed reaches the top landing in the far opposite corner of where Greg is and starts to quickly scan the area. "Check those two doors," Ed directs. Sam and his Uni as well as Tom and his were at the other corners – the four of them covering the top, while Spike and Wordy checked below and Jules helped evacuate whoever she could.
"Nothing Sir," the uniformed officer informs Ed as he hurries back to his side.
"Moving on," Ed responds as he turns and heads toward another set of closed doors. "Let's move team, time is counting down!" Ed's gruff voice is heard over their headsets; a hint of personal desperation dripping from the words. "Check that," Ed directs as he pulls open his own door. But just before he can aim his flashlight into the corner to see what awaits them, a gunshot pierces the overhead silence and within seconds all eyes turn in the north east direction.
"Boss!" Ed shouts in horror as he turns and bolts past the uniformed officer, racing for the stairs that would take him to the overhead catwalk; his gun already drawn. "Sam!"
"No joy!" Sam's voice is heard over the headset, Spike and Wordy already on their way up. "I see the boss and…wait I see Marcus…damn he moved!"
"Where?" Ed demands as he reaches the catwalk, another shot piercing the air. "Boss!"
"Eddie…I'm hit!"
"Where? Someone talk to me! Boss where are you hit?"
"Vest. He…" Greg's voice trails off as he tries once more to reason with Marcus while listening to Spike telling him how to diffuse the last bomb. "Bomb's…diffused," Greg gasps as another shot pieces the air; seconds later a retaliatory shot being fired.
"Boss talk to me!" Ed's anger is heard over the headset as he yanks the door open and races toward the area that Marcus Faber was closing in on one of their own.
"Hit in the arm Eddie…I'm…okay," Greg huffs as two more shots are traded.
"Sam!"
"He's in the shadows, I can only see his gun!" Sam answers in desperation.
"Tom…anyone…"
"Eddie…hurry," Greg huffs with a somewhat labored breath as Ed pulls open the last door and rushes toward Greg's fallen frame, Greg whispering to Ed to hurry as Marcus was closing in and his gun was just about out.
Ed rounds the corner; Sam and Tom closing in a few meters behind and watches as Marcus Faber comes into view and hovers over Greg's fallen form, his gun raised and his lips offering a few last parting remarks.
"You nail his ass to the wall!"
Those angry but telling words fuel Ed's hatred; images of utter chaos and destruction, death and carnage, loss, despair…his friends…his team…his brother…his wife. He hears his own lips calling out to Marcus Faber who won't even give him the dignity of turning around to acknowledge his impending doom. Ed watches in slow motion as Marcus raises his gun over Greg's writhing frame on the floor and pulls back on the trigger. He fires off two shots that take Marcus down in seconds; Greg flopping back to the ground in painful relief.
"Boss!" Ed shouts as he passes by Marcus, leaving him for Sam and Tom to check, dropping to his knees and checking to see the extent of Greg's injuries.
"I'm okay Eddie," Greg replies with a painful wince. "I'll be okay."
"We need medics up here right now!" Ed growls loudly as Jules, still on the floor directs the medics into the proper stairwell and informs the team that help is on the way.
The madman had been taken down; no trial by jury of peers, no unsympathetic ears and rigid hearts to try to sway, no family to mourn a hateful enemy. The city had been brought to its knees; their very way of life threatened and for a few painful hours, their future hanging in the balance. But with a hearty intake of air and a few heavy exhales, the city could once again breathe easy. The war was over. The madman put to rest. Dying alone. A fitting epitaph to a sad existence.
"Subject neutralized," Sam tells them all as he stands back and watches as Ed rushes for the stairwell to check on the status of his wife, Greg is loaded onto a stretcher and headed for the elevator and the coroner's team arrives to claim the body.
"Nailed his ass to the wall," Tom whispers as Sam turns around and gives him a high five, their two fists holding each other firmly before they nod and then hurry to be with their respective family's.
But in the end Marcus had failed; bonds had been strengthened, courage renewed and hope restored.
XXXXXXXX
"So relieved," Wordy gives Ed a big hug as they are finally reunited; Spike on his way to sit with Riley; Marina on her way to the hospital to be with Greg; Wendy already at Roy's side and the rest of the team slowly dispersing and going their separate ways and letting the rest of the Toronto police force deal with the aftermath and cleanup.
"How's Roy?"
"He's good," Ed nods as he looks toward the makeshift decontamination tents. "Did Tom talk to Jimmy's family?"
"He's heading there right now," Wordy replies in truth. "I just called Shelly and she said she's going to go over to your apartment and fill the fridge."
"Okay thanks," Ed replies as he looks around at all the injured and then back at Wordy with a heavy frown. "Today…Wordy today was hell. In just the blink of an eye everything…was gone or taken or utterly destroyed and we…I nearly lost her today Wordy," Ed looks at his best friend in misery.
"But you're taking her home to rest and now we just rebuild and move on right?"
"Right," Ed nods, giving Wordy a tight lipped smile before he gives him one last hug. "I'll check in tomorrow."
"Okay."
Ed watches Wordy leave and then turns and heads for the small makeshift waiting area; his phone buzzing in the process.
'Did you get him? Roy.'
'Nailed his ass to the wall. Ed'
'Knew you would. Donna?'
'Alive. A few injuries but she's alive.'
'What a relief. Broken left leg and a few broken ribs but could have been worse right?'
'You can still dance on crutches. Ed'
'Too bad the hall was destroyed. Roy.'
"Figures," Ed chuckles to himself as he shakes his head, thankful, however, that his brother's alive and able to joke with him when so many other's at the moment were not as fortunate. Husbands, wives, sons daughters…family's broken and shattered. He feels almost selfish that he'd, hopefully be taking his wife home tonight when other's now would have to learn to live without starting tonight.
"Constable Lane?" A male voice breaks into his thoughts and pulls Ed's weary gaze upward.
"Can I see my wife now?"
"You can."
Broken wrist, three broken ribs, small puncture to her stomach, cut to her leg, mild concussion, multiple scrapes and bruises and one very stubborn attitude – those were the things the doctor said his wife brought away from the rubble with her. He gently pulls back the curtain to the surgical recovery tent and looks at her lying on the bed with a peaceful expression on her pale skin. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Ed removes his vest and gun holster, heads for the small makeshift sink and dampens a soft cloth before easing himself down at her bedside.
"They told me I was too stubborn to die," her voice punctuates the silence of the room as her warm blue eyes slowly open and look up; his actions of gently cleaning the dried blood and dirt away from her face on hold a few moments.
"You are," Ed whispers as he leans in and plants a tender kiss on her forehead before pulling back with a smile. "That's what I love about you," he utters in truth as he plants a small kiss on her lips and then with his free hand clasps hers and holds it tightly.
"Here I thought…it was my…amazing cooking," she teases lightly.
"Always that," he smiles before his face frowns once more. "Was um…really worried today," he lightly laments as his eyes water and her brow furrows. "When I heard your scream and then silence…"
"Trust me for a while there I didn't feel like I was alive at all. I tried to call…but I knew you'd come. I knew it."
"Always," Ed tells her in warmly before he gently pushes her arm back under the blanket and then continues on his task with cleaning the dried blood and dirt off her face. "Shelly's going to check on the apartment tonight so I'll stay here overnight with you."
"Ed…"
"I'm not leaving, not after all this."
"I was going to say the sleeping bed is just outside," she answers with a soft smirk. "Trust me I don't want you to leave right now either. Not after today; I don't want to be alone. Did you get whoever is responsible for all this?"
"We did," Ed answers as he launches into the whole sordid story behind Marcus Faber's tormented past and how Anson Holt and society in general helped feed his growing hatred so that he acted out in the worst way possible. In the end there was no call to surrender, only a call to turn and face his executioner, something he didn't afford Ed, who didn't care where the bullets went into him as long as they did and stopped him for good.
Ed finishes the rest of the details of the case, next telling her about Greg's injuries, Roy's wedding obviously on hold for a few weeks, the fact that Roy was okay and with Wendy; Sam and Jules on their way home after and Tom and Sam had personally visited Jimmy's family. Ed finally looks down to see his wife asleep and can't help but offer her a frown as he gazes upon the dark bruise now adorning her cheek and plants another kiss on her forehead before he stands up and slowly heads for the exit to the tent. Not in the mood to eat, too tired to change and not caring if he'd be uncomfortable sleeping in his uniform, Ed arranges the sleeping bed on her left, reaches for a blanket and eases himself down; lightly draping the blanket over his legs and reaching for her hand. He holds it firmly in his and gazes at her a few moments longer before his weary eyes slide shut and darkness consumes him literally within seconds.
XXXXXXXX
Donna's tired eyes slowly open the next morning, her back aching from lying so still and in one position for most of the night on the small bed. She fixes her gaze upon her husband's sleeping face and smiles warmly. It was his love and strength that kept her alive in that darkened tomb those few miserable hours; his voice telling her to hold on and that he was on his way. As soon as she actually heard his voice acknowledge hers; hope literally flooded her entire being and she knew she was safe no matter the extent of her injuries.
"Sleep well?" Ed asks in a sleepy tone as he rubs his face and then looks at his wife as he rolls onto his side; propping himself up on his elbow.
"Back's sore but I think everything will be for a few days yet right?"
"Think so."
"You?"
"Never better," Ed retorts bringing a small giggle to his wife's lips.
"I can go home today right?"
"Pretty sure you can. Just gotta eat soft stuff for the next few days," Ed reaches for the small instruction list the doctor had left the night before. "He said you'd get better rest at home but if something doesn't feel right then to go the nearest ER."
"Help me up," she lovingly requests as Ed's all too quick to comply with. He gently grabs her around the waist and helps her get upright, wrapping his arms around her and just holding her close; not wanting, actually almost afraid to let go. "Never thought I'd feel this again," Donna whispers as she holds onto Ed, reveling in the delight of the warmth his body was offering.
"I don't want to let go," he offers tenderly as he kisses the side of her cheek and then pulls back with a concerned frown.
"Let's go home. You know with this hand out of commission I might need a bit of help in the shower," Donna suggests with a small smile as Ed's grin widens. "I smell like…death," she whispers in misery as she looks at the entrance to the makeshift recovery room and then up at her husband. "So much hatred and for what…" her voice dies out in a whispered hiss as Ed helps her with the jacket that Wordy had left for her to wear home.
Ed helps her put her right arm in a sling and then takes her left hand and gently guides her out of the tent back into general population; heading toward the exit doors and outside. Donna's lips offer a soft gasp as she looks around at all the recovery survivors and can only growl and curse Marcus's name once more. Her hand squeezes her husbands and she chokes back ensuing emotion as they head for the exit doors and then emerge outside – the air outside still holding the remnants of despair and devastation. But at the same time it holds hope and the energy to rebuild and emerge stronger than ever.
"Any damage to our apartment?" Donna asks in haste as they near the waiting SUV.
"Wordy said the block was damaged a bit by looters but it's okay otherwise," Ed assures her as they both get into the waiting SUV and the doors close. "Wordy texted while you were dressing and said Greg came through his surgery overnight very well and is going home today also; Roy is already at home grumbling," Ed lightly chuckles as he slowly meanders through the streets; Donna staring absently out the window, her uninjured hand tightening into an angry fist as Ed looks at his resting on the middle console.
"The worse we had to contend with was a traffic jam and purse thief on our wedding day," Donna mentions as she turns back to Ed with a heavy frown. "Sam and Jules…Ed they lost friends…part of their neighborhood. Jules was injured…Greg…Sam…she nearly lost her husband before they even started their new life together and yet…they got off lucky. Marcy will never get Jimmy back. The boys….lost their father…and for what," her voice drops to a low hiss before she offers a small wince and leans back on the seat; Ed looking over in concern.
"Hurts when I get angry."
"Think you could survive watching a comedy?"
"I'd watch paint dry," Donna retorts dryly. "Anything but the news," she huffs as she looks over at Ed. "You talk to Troy today?"
"Rest of the teams are all present and accounted for. I guess Team one and team three have earned some time off."
"Uh oh…you hate taking time off," she gently reminds him.
"After this I think I have a new appreciation for the time we get to spend together," he confesses in truth as he brings the SUV to a halt outside their building and both slowly head inside. Donna can't help but smile at the large bouquet of fresh flowers that Shelly and Wordy had left on their counter as they enter their quiet apartment; Donna pulling away and heading for the kitchen to check on the food in their fridge as Ed heads for the bedroom. A few quiet moments later, Donna goes in search of her husband, finding him in the bedroom looking at a picture of them taken on their wedding day.
He hears her footsteps near and looks up with a soft, teary eyed expression, forcing her heart to want to break as her ringed hand rests on his. "Finally got to stop and think about how close it was," he admits with a small swallows. "Yesterday…was such a blur I just…it was too close."
"It was," she whispers as she moves her way into his waiting arms and the two of them remain locked together for a few moments longer; enjoying the silence and steady beating of each other's heart. Finally they break apart, Ed suggesting he draw her a bath instead as he knows it would be easier for him to work on his self-control if only one of them was wet and naked; plus her broken ribs wouldn't be able to take any pressure from a romantic romp – either standing up or lying down.
"Okay that's good," Donna tells Ed in a soft tone as he finishes wrapping the cast on her wrist and then helps her ease down into the bathtub. "I don't mind you being this attentive," she looks up with a smile. But as he looks down into the warm soapy bath with a frown, her hand gently caresses his face and gives him a sympathetic gaze.
"Never seen you this…"
"Pathetic?" She interjects.
"Not you," he whispers as he quickly swallows. "Vulnerable. You are the strongest woman I have ever known and I love that about you but…but seeing the cuts and bruises and the…bandages, just makes me realize things," he ends abruptly, her hand clasping his.
"I'm going to be okay thanks to you."
The two of them make small talk about what they'd do with their days off; Ed's hands gently massaging the dried blood, drywall dust and whatever bits of debris out of her hair that was still lodged in from the day before. They talk more about Greg's recovery, Roy's wedding having to be delayed but saying that he was now anxious to be with Wendy in a serious way, Sam and Jules having a family brunch and their family dinner with Wordy and Shelly on the weekend. In short, after a few weeks of recovery life would slowly return to as normal as possible.
"Riley is going to be okay. They had to remove his spleen," Ed reads the text from Spike. "Tom said the rest of your team is recovering just fine."
"Am glad for Riley and so happy he's got such a great friend in Spike," Donna tells him truthfully as she extends her hand and Ed helps her out of the bath and into the broad expanse of a waiting towel. "Team four will have to replace Jimmy and the city will have to rebuild but it can be done. Just with a few new scars as reminders," she mentions in a somber tone as she slowly dries. "And we'll start with Roy's wedding."
"Yup," Ed agrees with a small smirk.
"You honestly don't think he'll show this time? He can't blame aliens and I doubt he'll have another excuse like he did yesterday."
"Trust me, saying I do is scary enough for Roy," Ed tells her frankly as she starts to dress in something warm and clean. "He'll be there. Only one of us got the looks right?"
"I might have been wrong," Donna looks up with a smile as they reenter the hallway. "I got the best of both."
Ed's arm around her waist tightens as he pulls her close and plants a tender kiss on her cheek, telling her it's time for a late lunch as they enter the kitchen. Ed goes in search of a bottle of wine while Donna does her best to see what she can arrange for lunch from the Tupperware containers that Shelly had left the night before.
The two of them talk more about what the teams would have to do to rebuild and learn from the reign of terror Marcus Faber used to bring the city to its knees; the new counter-terrorism plans and a few team building exercises. After lunch they head into their bedroom, Ed easing himself down first and then helping his wife to lie down beside him.
Donna moves into his strong arms as Ed pulls the blanket over them. She whispers 'I love you' as her eyes close and she willingly surrenders to his protective embrace as he whispers 'I love you' back and looks down with a tender gaze. He had come so close to losing her, faced despair and nearly tasted death; she had tasted it briefly but fought her way back, proving to him that their true love and strong bond had helped her pull through the darkness and emerge into the light.
They had survived a city under siege and one of the worst tests on their marriage possibly ever. As they now lay peacefully in each other's embrace in the safety of their apartment and work on healing, the city outside starts to rebuild and grow from adversity. There would be nothing now they couldn't face together and beat; that was the one thing Marcus Faber failed to destroy – hope.
THE END!
A/N: Okay so had to get a few more lines from the eppy into this b/c I felt they were kinda key in that moment. But as I didn't want to put Greg through the hell the real writers did, I made his injuries minimal and non-career ending. Hey I like to know Team One rode off into the sunset as the cohesive and whole unit they were to start with. Last eppy rewrite was 3 chaps but this one got you one more hehe so hope you all liked this little AU ficlet and please do review before you go and let me know your thoughts and if you'd like another in the future (either story or ficlet) and thanks so much!