Pay Off

Thursday

Jesus massages Quinn's back with a tennis ball. Xavier lies on the floor resting his head on his arms folded underneath. "I say yes…first, I hate your job at this point," Quinn responds.

Jesus piles on, "Second, we probably would come out ahead financially. Our plan was based on full-time childcare but if you are home we reduce the amount we have to spend; plus the excitement factor."

"All right…I am saying yes," Xavier declares.

"Ooh…noo," Quinn moans.

Xavier leans up on his elbows, "What changed your mind?"

"No…yes to the job. No to this fucking contraction," she clarifies through clenched teeth. She attempts to sit up.

"I will get the bag and start the car," Xavier reports.

"I'll grab your shoes and help you up and to the car-do not move," Jesus directs.

Both men move in opposite directions. "Arghfoekj…run-this shit is no joke," Quinn screams.

"Lori, we need to talk," Shane greets when she opens the door.

"Sure come on in," she smiles.

He stands in the middle of her living room and she takes a seat on the couch. Time for me to figure out what is real. "I thought about us and I have some conditions," he introduces.

"Great…I am ready to move forward," she states.

"There is a third party in this relationship and we need to eliminate that person."

"I agree…Jessie needs to respect our history and our new life. I can talk to her," Lori carries on smugly.

Shane shakes his head, "No Lori…our problem is Rick," he clarifies.

Lori stomach flutters, "What do you mean? Did you talk to him? Is he jealous?"

He watches her and his heart drops to his stomach. She will never let him go. He rubs the back of his head in frustration. "No Lori…but you just told me all I need to know. Good luck," he moves to exit.

"Wait," she leaps to her feet and grabs his arm in desperation. She stammers, "I was caught off guard…my words didn't come out right," This is my plan b. It has to work.

"Yes they did…they were the ugly truth. I am a big boy," he trails off and continues to the door.

"Tell me what you need-what to do? I could lick your penis. I never did that for Rick. We could watch nasty movies…or, uh my uniform. You could screw me in my high school cheer uniform-it still fits," she begs desperately through tears.

Shane stares at her, "Look at you…you will do anything-why?" he is amazed.

"I have to win…I deserve to win. You think I don't see the pity in our old friends' eyes when we meet. I was Homecoming Queen. I should be Queen Bee of Kings' County," she screams tugging her hair by the roots.

"Lori…did you take your meds today," he voices with concern.

"Of course…you can count them. That ugly bitch comes in here and takes my life. No…we can still win. You could take that security job-it's close enough," she plots out loud.

"I…you need…what did he do to you?" he stammers trying to make sense of her behavior.

"He broke my heart…he let me down. He did the same thing to you. Why is Dixon by his side? You were his best friend but he discarded you. You are the better officer," he hisses.

The atmosphere is charged, "You never let me down…you kept our secret. We can show them how much better we are. Kings' County belongs to us. Who are they to takeover?" she instigates.

The snubs, slights and the humiliation of his recent job loss swirl in his head. Could this be a way forward? Don't I deserve to win?

Mike's time back home was painful and slow. He completed tasks assigned by his father and remaining hours were designated for reflection and prayer. The only time and space that belonged to him was in the bathroom. The self pleasure enhanced by visions in his head or flashbacks were waning in their effectiveness. He needed some relief soon. He had a plan…he just needed to convince all parties to agree. He made the first call, "Hello…it has been awhile…I have an idea to re-brand your image as the oppressed, sympathetic wife. Good, I will be in touch," he ends the call. Now he needed his father to buy in to his new outreach ministry to those lost to the ways of the world.

Friday

Rosita's undercover work as housekeeping worked like a charm. She used their racism against them. Her consistent response to any and all questions of "No habla," allowed them to believe it was safe to speak freely in front of her. She returned to the team with invaluable intelligence: they each had at least one Glock and tons of full clips. Unfortunately they also had one small bomb left and they were considering two targets: the Sheriff Department or the Kings' County Court House. Their exit route was Highway County Road 50.

The first wave of RV's arrived Thursday morning evacuating the second floor throughout the day. The time was 5:00 pm and the first floor had been cleared. The teams were ready to move in since the suspects were nocturnal. Daryl ran point from the operation truck given his compromised identity. Bang!-Bang!-Bang! "This is Grady…your extended stay is over. I told you to check out," he shouts. The officers insisted he wear a bullet proof vest.

Shuffling and arguing could be heard through the door, "We said we would leave," one of the voices yells through the door. The voices continue to argue:

"This is too early."

"We can't plant the device."

"Let's exit like planned and pick a new target."

"Don't you think we should just stop?"

"Leave now or I am coming in," he continues to command as instructed by the officers.

The door opens swiftly and two suspects exit and start loading a truck. Grady stands to the side. His pulse races even though he knows where each officer is stationed. The final two exit the room; one is carefully balancing a box between his hands. Daryl radios ahead, "Checkpoint be aware…possible transport of explosive device," he reports.

"Over…back up bomb squad on site at Highway 50…all units maintain the safe follow distance," Rick commands.

In a quiet birth suite at Kings' County Medical Center a new family falls in love with an 8lbs. 5oz. bundle of blonde hair and brown eyes: Javier Rovia Fletcher.

"I have never been in love like this," Jesus whispers standing on the left side of the bed.

The baby squirms and pouts his lips safe in his mother's arms, "That pout may kill me-he is perfection," Xavier offers through tears from the right side of the bed.

Quinn looks down at the gift she has wanted for so long, "You were worth every ounce of pain; welcome to our family."

The unmarked units participating in the slow speed chase start to move up alongside the Ford truck and GMC SUV as they slow and stop for the unexpected blockade. Concrete highway barriers were placed across Highway 50 earlier in the evening. Rick commands from behind the barrier with a bullhorn, "Step out of the car with your arms up…do not attempt to reach for your side arms or you will be met with overwhelming force," he waits for their reaction. There is no movement. Rick raises the stakes, "Your bomb making skills are amateur…do you really want to blow yourself up? Exit with your arms up and salvage what is left of your life," he threatens.

The truck empties quickly. Officers move in…secure the two suspects and clear the area. The remaining two suspects in the SUV still haven't taken any action. "Pete…this is too real…I'm out…give it up," Ed pleads.

"I will go out in a hail of bullets or a fire-laced cloud before I surrender," he states with resolve.

Ed shakes his head, "Goodbye," he places his arms out the window as a sign of surrender before walking willingly into custody.

Pete attempts to secure the device from the backseat but the instability and poor construction result in a muted explosion. Officers secure themselves expecting the worse but it does not come. "Argh…my arm…I blew off my arm," Pete cries out.

Rick radios for an ambulance; the bomb unit in full gear moves in to secure the suspect and determine if a secondary explosion is imminent. Through the elevated adrenaline, coordinated orders Abe's voice crackles across the airwaves, "No heil salute for him." Once again based on the diligence of its public servants Kings' County remains safe from harm.