AN: As always, I'd like to graciously thank all my readers and reviewers.

To my guest reviewer: "anneducator" - Thank you for taking the time to review my story, your support for other writers and for posting your concern regarding another writer. The best person to provide you with more information about the removal of their stories would be the author themselves and in this case, "Traw". Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I hope you'll continue to enjoy the stories posted in this fandom.

This update is for "EKWTSM9" for her encouraging nudges whether it be through PMs or reviews - here is the update you have been waiting patiently for. I hope you enjoy it! (And think of me as less "mean" LOL)

Tanith


Mike grabbed hold of his partner's arms and looked him in the eye. Unable to vocalize the question that was at the tip of his tongue he uttered one word, "Irene?"

Steve caught the desperation in the older man's eyes and the anguish in his voice. For the briefest of moments he cast his gaze aside and peered around Mike's shoulder at the gurney. Oh God, he thinks it's Irene!

"Steve!" Mike tightened his grip and shook his partner until he faced him once again.

Steve winced from the unexpected jerking motion. He drew a deep agonizing breath and delivered the news, "She's okay."

Not quite believing what Steve had just said, Mike kept a firm anchoring hold on the young man. "What? You mean she..." he turned his head to indicate the gurney behind him.

Steve shook his head. "That's not Irene. You hear me, Mike? She's okay!"

Mike released the breath he'd been holding and visibly relaxed then he studied the young man, realizing for the first time since he laid eyes on him in the ambulance the pale and drawn look in his face. As he allowed his grip on Steve's arms to relax, he felt his partner pitch forward, clearly needing physical support. "Whoah, Steve! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just been one hell of a night that's all. Listen, Irene's in the apartment. She really could use some support," Steve replied solemnly, using Mike's arms to straighten himself up.

Confusion over the way Steve was talking turned into a chilling uneasiness pooling in the pit of Mike's stomach and freezing his insides. "What is it? What happened? Is she hurt?"

"No, she's not hurt but..."

"But what? Steve? Is it Kim?"

With insurmountable difficulty, Steve sadly explained, "No, Kim wasn't harmed...but uh...it's Pete. He took a bullet for Irene before she could take down the, uh, suspect under that sheet over there." He had wanted to use another word in place of suspect but he felt despite the anger coursing through his veins, it was inappropriate and they were talking about a human life. Maybe a low form of human life in his opinion but a human all the same.

"My God, is he...how bad?" Mike gasped, afraid of the answer.

Steve shook his head slowly. "It's bad. The medics… and there's a doctor – long story – but they're up there doing everything they can to stabilize him."

Mike rubbed a hand over his face and nodded. "The suspect...what do we know?"

"Her name's Karen Wheeler. Twenty-six years old. Got a record for prostitution and possession of illegal drugs. That's all I've got. Kim's too distraught to talk. The medics are checking her out and Christina too," Steve continued.

"Christina? Now, wait a minute – didn't you tell me earlier that she was kidnapped?" Mike grilled.

"Yeah and she was. Of course, nobody believed me, did they?" Steve felt his anger flaring up.

"I hope by nobody, you don't mean me, Buddy Boy!" Mike retorted.

Steve shrugged, feeling a little sheepish at his outburst. "No, I…never said…"

Mike turned away from Steve, breaking the tension between them and leaned over the gurney. He peeled back the sheet, revealing Karen's bruised and bloodied face. Why? "Listen, why don't you go on up there and see how Kim's doing?" He suggested, pulling the sheet back over the deceased's head. "I'll go find Irene."

Steve gave Mike a nod and together they climbed out of the back of the ambulance. Two medics waited for them to leave then shut the door behind them.

Steve turned and faced the older man who jabbed a finger at his chest that reawakened the bruises he sported.

"And then, you and I are going to have a talk. Don't think I haven't heard about that stunt you pulled at the hospital!" Mike admonished. He gave the young man a once over, taking note of the outfit he was wearing which clearly was not anything that he would find in his wardrobe.

"Word travels fast," Steve mumbled. He really didn't know how else to respond. Mike had every right to be mad but Steve believed he also had every reason to act out the way he did.

"You bet it does!" Mike said gruffly before releasing Steve and walking toward the apartment.

Great. Just great. Steve shook his head and followed Mike. The pain in his lower back and ribs was steadily increasing and he tried harder to block it out. The last thing he needed was to get benched again, although in light of everything that happened, there was a very real possibility that that was going to be the least of his worries.