Ed Wells was whistling as he exited the locker room. He was startled when the back door to the station banged open. He watched as the person who's been missing for two days fell onto her knees, and ran over.
"Brittany?! H-How'd you get here?" he said, shocked.
"P-Ponch.." was all she could say before she broke out into a fit of sobs. An officer came up to them and Ed looked up, worry in his eyes.
"Go get Pete and Jim! Hurry!" he ordered. The officer nodded and ran to the front desk. After relaying the message to Pete and Jim, the officer watched as they rushed to Brittany.
"Brittany, are you okay?" Jim asked kneeling beside his daughter. She shook her head, unable to speak.
"What happened?" Pete asked. Then looked at Wells.
"I don't know. I was leaving the locker room then the door slammed open...and here she is.." he said. "She did say one word though...She said 'Ponch'.." he added.
"Brittany, is Ponch okay?" Jim asked. He was worried about his son-in-law. She shook her head.
"H-He's really hurt..S-So is J-Jon..." she managed to say between breaths.
"Calm down, Britt," Pete said. He knelt beside her and grabbed her hand. She nodded slightly and slowly started to take deeper breaths. Pete smiled. "That's it, keep doing that," he soothed. Then looked at Jim. "We need to get her home," he said. Jim nodded.
"Brittany, can we take you home?" he asked. She freaked a little at the mention of home and shook her head a little.
"Britt, can we take you to see your mom?" Pete asked. Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she nodded. Pete helped her up and led her to the door.
"We'll take you to your mom," he said.
oOoOo
Ponch and Jon sat up against a wall. The bad guys were having a little chat.
"Jon...I...w-w-w-wanna…" Ponch started. He was having trouble breathing.
"Calm down, Ponch. Save your breath," Jon said. Ponch nodded slightly.
"J-J-Jon…" Ponch started. He swallowed hard. "H-H-Hurts…" he spit out.
"I know, you'll be okay, Ponch." Ponch was quiet. Jon put an arm around his partner and pulled him closer into a hug. Ponch tried to keep from crying. He hated to be emotional like that, but he was really hurting right now. Jon noticed and just began to talk to him softly calming him down.
oOoOo
Pete and the others pulled up to the Reed home. Jean came out and saw Brittany in the backseat. She rushed over to the car. Jim and Pete stepped out of the car.
"She showed up at the station. She hasn't really talked that much, only a little," Pete said as Jim managed to get Brittany out of the car. Jean nodded slightly as she went to help Jim with Brittany.
"Shh, shh," Jean cooed to her daughter. "It's okay. It'll be okay."
Pete went to open the front door for them as they got her inside. Once they got her into the guest room, Jean turned to Pete and Jim.
"I've got it from here. Get back to work before Mac wonders where you two disappeared to," she told them. Jim hesitated.
"You sure?" Pete asked, staring at Brittany. Jean nodded and ushered them out. Once the two left, Jean went back to Brittany. She sat down next to her daughter, who was still slightly shaky.
"I-It was h-horrible there..." Brittany said.
"Shh, it'll be fine.. Can you talk about it?" Jean asked.
"We-We were l-locked in s-separate rooms...females in-in one room...Males in an-another...Ponch...a-after they took J-Jon and K-Kiara to play some...g-game...h-he snuck out of his r-room...he got to ours..B-Bonnie was there, too... and w-when one of the bad guys.." she hiccuped from her crying, "When he came to g-get B-Bonnie...Ponch c-caused a distraction, all-allowing Bonnie...to escape.. The guy t-took Ponch away in-instead..."
Jean gasped a little in shock. Bonnie had escaped but yet they still went through the horrors.
"L-Later..I r-remembered I had a b-bobby pin in my p-pocket...and I...I p-picked the lock...I st-still had my gun hi-hidden in m-my pants...when I found them...one of the b-bad guys...he-he was whipping Ponch...it was so bad..."
Brittany cried a little harder. Jean rubbed her back with a hand, wanting anything in the world for everyone to be okay, and for her daughter to not be in so much pain, physically, and emotionally.
"Shh, you don't have to continue.." Jean told her. Brittany shook her head.
"I-I shot t-two of them in the shoulder...J-Jon knocked the guy with..with the whip out...When we got outside...we re-realized Kiara...she was still in there...b-before we could d-do anything...the other two...they came back...t-they shot Jon in the arm...Ponch...he told me to run.. I-I didn't want to l-leave them, mom.." Brittany finished with a cry. Jean hugged her tightly, careful to not harm her or the babies.
oOoOo
Jolene sighed, sitting at the table. "I wish we had a way to save the others..I hope Brittany's okay.."
Logan sipped his coffee. He said nothing. This was surprising,because he always had something to say.
Jason ran into the room. A shocked but happy look on his face. "Guys! You'll never believe it!" he said.
"I already don't,"Logan joked. "What is it?"
"Brittany escaped! She's with her mom now.. Jim called and let us know," he said.
Jolene smiled widely. "Really?! How'd she do it?" she asked.
Jason shrugged. "Don't know.."
"Wowsers..."was all that escaped Logan's lips.
"Tell me about it," Jolene said.
"About what?" Logan asked just being silly.
"Nevermind..." Jolene said.
"So,can we see her?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah, Jean said it might be alright. Just try not to mention Ponch or Jon, alright?"
"Okay!Come on,JoJo," Logan said standing up.
"Okay!" she said, following Logan out.
oOoOo
The doorbell rang at the Reed home. Jean got up to answer it.
"Heya,"Logan said when the door opened.
Jean smiled. "Hey! Come on in, she's in the guest room.."
"Thanks,"Logan said then made his way there." Hi, Brittany."
Brittany made a little movement, to show she heard him. Jean came up behind him. "She told me how it happened, and now she's gone silent...Just try not to mention about you know who, alright?"
"Who, Ponch?"
Brittany stiffened up again and tears started streaming down her face. Jolene saw this and slapped Logan on the back of his head. "Nice going, Logan."
"Sorry... I guess I'm just having one of those days..."he started. "Brittany I'm really sorry."
Brittany only slightly nodded. Jolene went over and sat next to her. "It'll be okay..."
Logan bit his lip." Well I blew it,"he told himself quietly as he ran his fingers through his short blonde hair.
Jean pushed him in. "It'll be fine," she told him. "She'll calm down soon."
"Yeah,sure..."he walked towards the door.
Jolene came over and dragged him to the bed. "Sit." she ordered. Brittany watched and giggled a little bit. Logan smiled slightly at JoJo. He loved her. Brittany smiled slightly at the two. "Why don't you two kiss already?" she teased.
Jolene blushed "Wh-What?"
Logan was all shades of red when she said that. He looked at Jolene. Jolene looked at Logan, wide-eyed. "I really do love you JoJo," he admitted.
She blushed deeper. "I..I love you too.." she said, with a slight smile. Feeling brave, JoJo grabbed his shirt collar pulled him in, her lips landed on his. Logan felt a jolt of pure joy as their lips smacked together. Brittany watched on with a smile.
When they parted Logan smiled" I've wanted to do that a long time."
Jolene nodded. "Yeah...me too."
Logan smiled,he didn't say anything he just pulled her close and started again. Brittany blinked and looked away, feeling as if she were intruding. Her mind wandered to Ponch.
oOoOo
Ponch fell asleep up against the wall. Trevor kicked him. "Wake up!"he yelled.
"Ow..."Ponch said slowly opening his eyes. He then leaned on Jon and closed his eyes again.
Trevor picked him up. "You stay awake, or you'll be in worse pain." Ponch can't keep his eyes open. He's actually losing consciousness. Trevor sighed frustrated and tossed him back to the ground. Ponch tried to keep his eyes open. Jon looked at him.
"B-Baker?"
"Yeah, Ponch?"
"I c-c-can't do this...anymore…"
"Hang in there, pal...Help will be here soon.." Jon said not wanting his friend to give up.
"I...c-c-can't…" he said as his eyes closed.
"Ponch, please try to stay awake," Jon said shaking him a bit to make him open his eyes again. Ponch looked at Jon for a few seconds before closing his eyes again. Jon grabbed Ponch's hand and then got up in Ponch's face. "You can't leave me now! Ponch, please...stay awake. Do it for me...do it for Brittany and the twins," Jon begged.
"B-Britt...the t-t-twins?" Ponch asked slightly confused. He was semi-conscious and only heard half of that.
"Ponch, come on fight this!" Jon would've continued talking, but he was soon pulled away.
"It's your turn, Baker," came Trevor's voice.
"No, I can't leave Ponch...he's…" Jon started.
"Oh, is he falling asleep again?" Dean asked. He came over and kicked Ponch in the stomach. "Open your eyes!" Ponch didn't open his eyes. Dean grabbed him and shook him harshly. "Open your eyes, Poncherello!" he hollered. Ponch's eyes remained closed.
"Dean, he lost consciousness," Trevor said noticing. Dean tossed Ponch aside and at the wall. Then he grabbed Jon and dragged him to the wheel.
"Spin it, or you'll end up like your friend over there. It'd be best to do as I say. I'm already in a foul mood because two of you already escaped," he growled at him. Jon rolled his eyes.
"I'm not doing it," he replied. He looked back towards Ponch.
"Oh, is that so? Well, maybe I should just further harm Poncherello," he said, letting go of Jon and started to walk to Ponch.
"No! Don't touch Ponch! He could die if you hurt him more!" Jon cried desperately. He then reached for the wheel and spun it. Bob and Brian were standing over by Ponch. Ready to harm him if they needed to. Dean watched the wheel spin with a smirk. Jon cringed, he hated this game. When it stopped spinning he wanted to throw up.
"What's this?" Dean asked as he looked at the wheel. "You get to go play a new game," he said, a smile on his face. Jon looked at the wheel again.
"I don't like the sounds of that...just the name hurts," he said. The name of the game was cat and mouse.
"Aww, it's easy! This entire place is set up like a maze. You, Jon, are the mouse," Dean explained as he picked up the whip. Jon gulped at the sight. "It's real simple rules. All you have to do is run. Be careful though, because the door to the Traps and Ladders is open as well. One wrong step, and down you go. And if you do manage to find the exit door, well..I guess you'll find out, won't ya?"
Once he was done, he went over to a wall and pressed a pretty well-hidden button. A sound buzzed through the place.
"Game starts now," he said. Jon took a second glance at Ponch and whispered to the air.
"I'm real sorry, buddy...I'll try to come back." Jon took off running in the maze. He realized that they were lucky to find the exit when Brittany had saved them. But now, it looked so different.
Bob, Trevor, and Brian all stood by Ponch. If Ponch were to wake up soon they had a special plan for him.
Dean looked at him. "Leave him. He won't be able to run if he wakes. Go guard the perimeter of the outside, in case Jon finds the exit," he orders.
"Okay" They left and did as ordered. Dean went after Jon. Ponch was starting to wake up. He actually just fell asleep, and didn't lose consciousness yet. Ponch sat up a bit, and looked around. He slowly pulled himself up off the ground. He was a little wobbly at first, but he just leaned on the wall. Ponch took a glance over at the wheel. The light shining on it was bright so it was hard to read what it said. He squinted a little and was able to make out the words 'cat' and 'mouse' His eyes grew wide.
"I hate that game!" he said a little too loudly. Bob had heard, but was unable to leave his spot.
Meanwhile, Jon reached a crossway. He had to choose left or right. Jon thought for a second before hearing Dean shout at him.
"Oooh, looks like kitty cat gets a treat!" he yelled. Jon had about twenty seconds to choose before he gets whipped. He went left. It was a couple twists and turns, but finally, he found another crossway, this one being three choices. He chose left again. He could tell he was a little farther from Dean, because the shouting was getting softer.
Dean, however, was frustrated. He was so close, but now he lost him again! He didn't know which way he went so he just continued going straight. Jon sighed in relief when he realized that he had, for now, lost him. He continued going, because he knew he didn't have time to lose. He came to another path which split into right or straight. He went straight, because he could hear Dean from the right path. Dean didn't see him, and turned right when he had reached a crossway himself.
Ponch couldn't stand this, so he joined the maze. His hope was that he'd find Dean and be able to catch him. Ponch looked down and saw two sets of footprints. One set he easily recognized to be Jon's. He looked up and listened as best he could. Dean was far away. Ponch followed Jon's footprints. He was careful to look and listen at each crossway he crossed to be sure Dean wasn't nearby.
Jon eventually reached a dead end, but he noticed something weird about this wall. There was small, almost invisible hinges on one side of it. He looked at the wall a bit closer and noticed a little latch to grab a hold of. Before he could open it, he felt a hand grab his shoulder. He turned, scared Dean had found him, but was shocked to see Ponch.
"How'd you find me?" he whisper-shouted. Ponch smiled.
"I wasn't really unconscious..I was just asleep..I followed your footprints," he said lowly. Ponch leaned on Jon. He was feeling very tired and weak. "Sorry, I was worried about you...I had to c-c-come…" he said.
"That's fine. Let's go, I found a secret door here," Jon said and opened the door quietly. Ponch followed him, but then fell to his knees.
"Jon...I can't walk anymore...maybe I should've stayed back…"
"No, because then we can't leave together, I'll help you," Jon told him, and helped Ponch up, putting an arm around his shoulder.
"Thanks, Baker…"
He smiles and nodded. "We have some stairs, but I don't think it's much. I see some ground," he said, helping Ponch go down the stairs. Once he got him down the stairs, he leaned him against the wall. "I have to go close the door so Dean doesn't find us," Jon said and quickly went to close the door. He then went back down to Ponch.
"Baker…" Ponch started he felt like he was causing too much trouble for Jon.
"Don't you ever think I'm going to leave you, Poncherello," Jon said, realizing that Ponch was going to tell him to go on without him. He saw it in his face. It was the same look Ponch gave Brittany before he told her to run. Ponch stared at the floor.
"I'm just slowing you down," he said.
"No, Ponch you're not," Jon replied quickly.
"Haha, very funny. You know I am."
"No, you're not. I'm not ever leaving you behind. Besides, I can't leave you. I would never forgive myself," Jon said. He put one of Ponch's arms over his shoulder and continued forward. Ponch looked at Jon.
"How's your arm?"
"Hurts, but not as bad anymore."
"Okay…" Ponch is quiet. Jon can tell something is wrong by the sudden silence.
Ponch just wanted to fall over and give up. He just wants to lay on the ground and die.
"Stop...just go on without me, Baker," Ponch said weakly.
Jon shook his head. "There is no way I'm leaving you here."
Ponch abruptly stopped, forcing Jon to stop as well to avoid dropping Ponch.
"All I'm doing is slowing you down. It took you no time to get to that secret door, and now it's taking you longer to move."
"Do you even know how many times I had to stop due to soreness, and having to be sure Dean wasn't close by?! You are not slowing me down. Now, come on, before I pick you up in a fireman's carry and continue on with you. Walk or carry, Ponch."
Ponch sighed. "Walk.." he muttered. Jon nodded and continued helping him down the hallway.
After a while of walking, Jon noticed a door to his left. "Hang on, lean against this wall here for a sec..Imma see where this door leads," he said, leaning Ponch against the wall. Ponch slowly slid down to the floor. He made sure for a bit that he was going to be okay before turning to the door. He was careful to open it. Ponch leaned over, and just laid down.
Once he opened it enough for him to lean and and look around, he was surprised at the very least when he saw someone sitting, leaning against the wall across the room. He could hear crying.
"Kiara?!" he said, shocked when he got a little closer and saw the person a bit clearer.
"J-Jon?" She asked standing up.
"Yeah, it's me. C'mon, let's get out of here," he said.
She followed Jon. A wave of relief crashing over her as she got outta that room. They were back in the hallway. Jon went over to Ponch and picked him up, putting his arm back over his shoulder. "We all ready to go?"
Ponch was barely there anymore. "Huh?"
"Come on, I think it's high time we all get out of here," he said. All he hears from Ponch is a slight moan. He wants to leave too, but his body is protesting.
"I know you're hurting Ponch, but think. Soon, you'll be all healed up and with Brittany again.." he said.
Ponch leaned more on Jon. Kiara came around and got on the other side of Ponch.
"C'mon. I've had experiences with underground secret hallways...there's usually a hatch at the end of them.." Jon said.
"When have you experienced underground secret hallways?" Kiara asked.
"Well...it's a long story.."
"So you'll tell me later?"
"I'll make it easier...this wasn't always a bad guy's hideout..." Jon said.
"Huh?" Ponch and Kiara asked in unison.
"I'll tell you later.." he said.
"You better," Kiara said. Then Ponch cried out in pain he fell forward towards the floor. Jon caught him before he did. Kiara helped Ponch to stand up. Ponch then started to fall again. His legs and feet were giving up.
"Alright, I'm going to have to carry him.." Jon said.
"Jon,we need to carry him!"
Jon nodded and picked him up with ease. "Come on. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can get him help," he told her, moving forward. Kiara nodded and followed.
Soon, they reached the end of the hallway. "It's low enough for you to reach. I need you to open it for me and climb out, when you are be ready to grab Ponch."
"Okay" Kiara opened the hatch and climbed out.
"Ready?" he asked. "Also, try not to make much sound, okay? If they hear you, we're screwed."
"Give me Ponch," she replied reaching for him. Jon pushed Ponch up towards Kiara.
Back at the maze, Dean has been through the whole maze twice. There was no signs of Jon anywhere.
oOoOo
"What the hell happened to him?! There is no way to escape!" Dean said out of frustration. He punched the wall. Soon he heard the sound of a door slamming.
"Dean!?" he heard the sound of Bob calling his name. He sounded aggravated.
"What?" Dean called back to him.
"Where are they!?"
"What do you mean by they? Only Jon is playing the game!"
"His partner is missing," Bob said looking towards where Ponch had been sitting before. "You said he wasn't going anywhere!"
"I don't know how he could. Did you see how badly injured he was?" Dean answered him, walking over to where he was standing.
"Well he's gone...are you sure that someone didn't come back and help him?"
"If you guys were watching the exits like I told you to do!" Dean yelled. He paused for a second. "There is no way anybody could get in or out of this place."
"It's not our fault, Dean! You said he wouldn't be going anywhere!" Bob yelled.
"Guys, hey cut it out," Brian said getting in between them before things got ugly.
"Excuse me? He was so badly injured. I'm surprised that he even was able to stand up!" Dean growled, his voice lowering to a dangerous level. Bob narrowed his eyes at Dean.
"You're lucky we have a job to do or you'd be dead," Bob said.
"No, you would be. If you don't remember, you lost against me before in a fight," Dean answered him, his green eyes narrowed.
"Yeah, once! That don't mean I'll lose every time, Dean…" Bob started.
"That's enough!" Trevor yelled. Dean ignored him and pushed Bob easily into the maze wall. Bob huffed and ran at Dean. He dodged him by ducking to the side and punched at the side of his head. Bob got really angry and started swinging his fists rapidly. Dean dodged most of them, though Bob did get a few lucky hits in.
"Since when were you the one to let your anger get the best of you! Bob, quit it!" Trevor yelled. Bob ignored his voice and kept going. Suddenly he felt a strong grip on his hands.
"That's enough!" Trevor yelled. Bob looked at him. Angry tears stinging his eyes.
"I hate him!" he yelled. He tried to swing a fist at him again. Trevor pulled him back.
"No, you don't. You need to cool off, buster!"
Dean smirked. "Aww, poor baby gonna cry?" he teased Bob before straightening up. "The reason you lose every time is because you let anger take over. Doing so will eventually be your doom."
"Shut your ass!" Bob yelled. Dean huffed and rolled his eyes.
"You're not the boss of me," he said. Trevor and Brian rolled their eyes. Then they heard a cry of pain from outside.
"What was that!?" Trevor asked. Dean cursed.
"They're outside!" he yelled, and turned to go to the exit.
Outside…
"Sorry, Ponch...I didn't mean to drop you," Jon apologized. Jon had tripped in a hole. Kiara reached for her cell phone in her pocket.
"I happened to pull this outta my gun belt before it was taken from me," she said a triumphant gleam in her eyes. Jon just smiled tiredly. "I'm gonna try to call for back-up," she said.
"Okay, sounds good," Jon replied. Then he gritted his teeth. Trying to fight this wave of pain that crashed over him.
"Jon?" Ponch asked. Jon looked at his partner. He felt like if he told him how he was really feeling he'd just be letting him down. The last thing he wanted was to fail his partner.
"Ponch, I'm okay. I promise," Jon said. He picked Ponch up again and continued going, Kiara following. Ponch tried to push himself out of Jon's arms. "What are you doing?" Jon asked.
"You can run if you're not carrying me."
"Ponch…" Jon started not liking the sound of this.
"Drop me," he said.
"What!? Are you crazy?" Jon asked raising his voice.
"No, I'm not crazy...I'm insane," Ponch replied. Jon rolled his eyes.
"I can't do it," he said.
"You don't have to actually drop me," Ponch said. Then pushed himself out of Jon's arm and fell to the ground.
"Ponch…"
"Go Jon!"
"I can't leave you behind! If they find you this time, they won't hesitate to kill you! Remember, you promised Brittany that the babies will have their daddy. They won't if I leave you behind!" Jon said.
"Jon, they will. Trust me...just go, okay?" Ponch replied. Jon just like Brittany, did NOT want to leave his best friend.
"Ponch…" Jon started.
"Jon, I'm gonna be just fine. I'm slowing you down. I can survive on my own. I've been doing that since I was a kid," Ponch replied. Jon stared at Ponch.
"Jon, help is on the way. We need to find a safe place to stay," Kiara said hanging up the phone. She then noticed Ponch on the ground. "What's going on?" she asked.
"He wants us to go," Jon said. Kiara looked at Ponch. She then walked over and knelt beside him.
"Honey, are you crazy? They'll kill you," she said.
"Kiara, I'm just slowing you guys down." Kiara's heart broke when she heard that.
"Oh, baby you're not slowing us down," she replied. She put an arm around him then with her other hand played with his hair a little. "We need to get you to safety. If we leave you behind, you could be killed. I don't think you want us to go home and tell Brittany that her babies aren't going to have a daddy," Kiara said.
Ponch looked at her, "I…" he started. She put her finger to his mouth.
"Shh, let's get going," she coaxed. She helped Ponch up. "The sooner we get outta here, the sooner you see your wife. Let's go." Kiara threw his arm around her shoulder. Kiara helped Ponch walk to where they were headed.
"Jon, where are we going?" Ponch asked.
"Somewhere away, where it'll be safe until help arrives," Jon said. Kiara nodded.
"Okay, let's get going." she smiled at Ponch. "Don't fall asleep on me, okay?"
"I won't I promise," Ponch replied. Soon, they reached the area Jon was headed for. It was a little secluded area, that was hard to find.
"How the heck did you know where this place was? I wouldn't have found it in a million years!" Ponch asked.
"Hey, let's relax a bit, okay?" Kiara said. She and Ponch both leaned back on a tree.
"Well, when I first moved here...it was before you and me met, Ponch," Jon started.
"What?" Kiara asked curiously. She wanted to know what he was getting at.
"Well..when I did, I met Brittany, and a few days later, was when I met Ponch. Anyways, before she introduced me to him, she showed me this little secluded area...she and her family used to camp here in these woods."
"Okay…" Kiara said not sure why he was telling them this. Ponch just stared at Jon.
"Rest up...Soon we'll be home.." Jon said with a smile. "She also showed me a little pathway that leads to a specific highway we take every single day." Ponch's eyes lit up for the first time in the past few days.
"Really!?" he asked enthused. Kiara laughed. Then they heard a loud crunch of a stick breaking.