Makoto shifted gears racing down the street. She ignored the ringing of her cell phone. All she cared about was getting to Nephrite's art gallery. She felt goose bumps run up her spine as she came to a halt in front of the gallery. Broken glass littered the front entrance. She whispered at quick prayer, grabbed her gun, and got out of her car cautiously. The door was slightly ajar and she crept in quietly. The lights were off in the main lobby and she grabbed her small flashlight out of the pocket to observe. Nothing seemed out of place until she went deeper into the gallery. She held back a scream. A trail of blood could be seen going back into the storage facilities. (Oh God, please let me find him alive). She closed her eyes counted to three and pushed open the door. Nephrite sat in a chair motionless. Her blood ran cold and she ran up him. She ripped the tape off his mouth and checked his pulse. Makoto sighed. It was there but faint. Nephrite opened his eyes slowly.
"Makoto?"
"Shh. I'm here baby. I'm gonna get you out of here. Who did this to you?"
Nephrite began to panic.
"You have to get of here. She'll kill you!"
Makoto untied his hands.
"Kill me? Who is? The person who did this to you? Nephrite!"
A loud noise erupted from Nephrite's ears. He turned around to see Makoto slump down to the floor. Mina stood over her holding a piece of wood. She turned to him slowly and smiled. She picked up Makoto's gun and advanced toward Nephrite.
"We can't have her ruining our plans sweetheart."
Nephrite walked backwards.
"Put the gun down Mina. You don't know who to use it."
"Do I?"
She shot it towards Nephrite. The bullet whizzed by his head.
"Next time I won't miss," she warned.
His eyes watered.
"I get it Mina. You're angry. Just leave and I'll pretend this never happened."
"Shut the fuck up you sorry son of a bitch! Do you know what it's like for me? Do you think I want to kill you? I think you and I both know how this ends. Good bye Neph-"
Makoto lunged at Mina and both women fell to the floor. The gun skidded across the room. Makoto grabbed Mina by her collar and punched her in the face. Mina's head hit the concrete and she was dazed for a few seconds until she kicked Makoto in the side. Makoto slammed her fist into the side of Mina's broken ribs and she gasped out loud and began to cough up blood. She tripped Makoto and grabbed the knife she had earlier. She stabbed Makoto in her side and across her shoulder. Makoto fell to the ground whimpering with pain. Mina grabbed her by her hair and pushed her to the ground then got on top of her and began to choke her. Makoto clawed at her hands.
"I'm only doing this to protect you. I'll stop once you pass out. You don't understand. I need to do this," Mina whispered.
Makoto scratched at her face. Her breath began to grow short; her body getting weaker.
BANG!
Makoto opened her eyes wide. Blood dripped down onto her face. Mina's hold on her grew weaker. She looked down in shock at Makoto. A large stain began to spread on Mina's left side. She coughed and blood dripped down her chin. Then she fell to the floor dead. Makoto pushed her off coughing and choking for air. Nephrite was holding the gun. Makoto limped over to him and took it out of his hand. She threw it to the floor and held him tight. His kissed her forehead. Her ears picked up sounds from outside.
"Brooks! Brooks!"
"In here Chief!"
"A swarm of police officers came crashing into the room armed and ready.
"Hold your fire!"
Darien ran in and stared.
"Someone get a medic!"
Nephrite slumped down to the ground. Makoto grabbed his arm.
"Hold on Nephrite."
Two EMS people came in and put Nephrite on a stretcher.
"He's lost a lot of blood," one medic observed.
"Will he be okay?" she asked nervously.
The medic smiled at Makoto.
"He'll get through it. Let's move."
She kissed him on the forehead.
"I promise I'll be there soon."
Darien looked around the room.
"Holy crap Brooks. What the hell happened?"
Makoto winced and leaned against the wall.
"I got my ass kicked," she joked.
"This isn't a laughing matter. You almost got killed by some psychopath," he lectured.
Makoto sighed.
"Yeah, I'm aware."
Darien motioned a medic over.
"Look over her wounds."
She scoffed.
"I'll be okay. It doesn't hurt much."
The medic shook her head.
"You're going to need stitches."
Darien shook his head.
"Go to the hospital. Get fixed up and stay with Nephrite. I'll take care of this."
Makoto gave him a lop-sided grin.
"Thanks Helix."
He gave her a short nod as the medic escorted her outside. Darien looked at Mina's body on the floor.
"What a crazy bitch."
...
Makoto sat in the emergency room holding the gauze on her wound. She winced as the nurse aide cleaned it thoroughly and began stitching up the wound.
"Making those noises isn't going to help," she chided.
Makoto glanced at her badge.
"Listen, Nurse Trista. If you don't want to lose a finger, then I suggest you stop poking me in the shoulder."
The nurse rolled her eyes and placed the dirty gauze on a portable tray next to the bed. Makoto held her stomach, leaned over and vomited right into the sink.
"Oh my God!"
Nurse Trista grabbed some tissue and handed it to her. Makoto wiped her mouth and let out a shuddered breath.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Sorry. It's the smell of this hospital. It's over bearing," she moaned weakly.
"You don't look good. I'm going to get your doctor," the nurse stated.
Makoto lay down on the bed and sighed. Dr. Matthews came running in the room. She looked at Makoto and sighed.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Just dizzy. I really need to go see Nephrite," she answered as she got up.
The doctor closed the door behind her.
"I've already checked up on Mr. Silverton. Makoto he's going to be just fine."
Makoto sighed in relief.
"That's great news. Can I go see him?"
"In just a minute, but I wanted to talk to you for a moment," Amy said.
Makoto sat back down.
"Okay. What's up?"
Amy tapped her shoe on the floor.
You know Detective Brooks; you never came by to see me the other day."
Makoto grabbed her jacket and cell phone.
"Sorry if I had more important matters to attend."
Dr. Matthews sat down in the stool in front of Makoto.
"Not important enough to find out about the babies growing inside you?"
Makoto dropped her jacket on the floor and looked hard at Amy. Her voice quivered.
"Amy, what did you say?"
Amy cleared her throat.
"You're pregnant Detective Brooks."
-WooWoo316