The next morning, Luca makes PB and J sandwiches with plenty of snacks for Isa. Hoping that whoever is bullying her doesn't show their face today. Then Street walks in and takes a seat by the counter
"Want me to write you a note?" He jokes, Luca laughs
"It's for Isa, she hasn't eaten for awhile it seems like. A boy stole her food the other day" he explains
"Man, I love bullies" Street says sarcastically
"Gifts from God himself" Luca jokes. He finishes up and places the food in an old lunch box. Street and Luca drive together to HQ.
"I'll let you two talk to her so she doesn't run" Street says, as he exits and heads toward the door
"Thanks man" Luca says
"Don't mention it" Street says, going inside. Luca looks around the parking lot and spots Deacon. The two meet up
"Hey Deac" Luca greets
"What did you make her?" Deacon asks
"Just sandwiches with a bunch of snacks" Luca says "I don't know what she likes"
"Knowing her, it won't matter" Deacon replies "Annie found out about Isa last night and made her plenty of homemade protein bars, hopefully be easy to carry" he lifts up an old backpack from his kids. It is an army green and even though it is worn, it is very durable. Inside is a box filled with bars of different flavors. They go over to the usual spot, someone else has parked there, and the pair don't find Isa
"Isa?" Luca calls, but there is no reply "Isa!"
"Face it Luca" Deacon says "we never see her enter or leave"
"Where could she go?" He asks
"Don't know, but maybe we will see her later" Deacon says, Luca nods sadly as they goes into HQ and leave the tree behind them.
Inside, the rest of 20-Squad is bursting with excitement
"What is going on?" Luca asks
"Go see Hondo" Tan says walking out of the locker room. The two look around to see Hondo talking to Street before he heads towards Hicks' office. The pair go over to Hondo
"What's going on?" Deacon asks
"Hicks gave Chris permission to join us on the case" Hondo says "we are down a person and she wants to do it"
"What about the safe house?" Luca asks
"The girls can handle themselves as long as Chris checks on them after shift" Hondo says, then he lowers his voice "off the record, ever since she left, Chris has had meetings with Hicks, ICE, and me a few times. Hicks wants her back, really bad"
"Wow" Luca says
"Don't say anything" Hondo says "Hicks wants you and me, Deacon" they leave. Now alone, Luca runs into locker room, finding himself in a better mood than a few minutes ago. Sure enough, Chris is putting her stuff back into her old locker. Luca places his hands over her eyes
"Hey hey hey!" He says
"Luca?" Chris asks
"You betcha!" Luca says, Chris turns around and smiles
"You act like I came back from the dead" she jokes "missed me that much?"
"Hell yeah! We all missed our favorite bad ass woman" Luca answer hugging her "excited to kick some ass?" she nods "how is the safe house?"
"Really good" she says "nice to help lives in a different way"
"That's why I love you Chris" Luca says, hugging her again. Then Chris notices the lunchbox that Luca left on the bench
"Since when did you ever pack a lunch?" She asks joking "Street write you a love note?"
"Nah, he tried to though. This is actually for Isa" Luca explains "new friend, and she needs all the food she can get. Deac and I were supposed to meet her this morning, but Isa wasn't there"
"You worried?" She asks, looking at the emotion spread across his face
"I shouldn't be, I mean, I am sure she can take care of herself but..." his words falter
"But still wonder if she is alright until you see her for yourself" Chris fills in
"Pretty much" Luca answers. Hondo calls the team to Command, the group now feeling more complete with Chris there
"Alright, I already briefed Chris, but to summarize again. Today we are going to Tail Lines Loading Dock, there we will wait for boat St. Sandler to enter the dock. Danny will be there to make sure the trade occurs. Once we get some sort of confirmation, we go in. Patrol will be back up once things are under control, hopefully, this will reveal more of the pill pyramid" the team nods.
They gear up and head into Black Betty. Luca takes the wheel while Tan now sitting in the back, wanting to sit next to Chris
"So Alonso" Hondo says "want me to tell them, or should Street and I do it?" Chris smiles
"What?" Tan asks
"You might want to get used to having me around more" she says "I'll be coming back to 20-Squad officially after this shift"
"No way!" Tan says "how?"
"It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm working to create an organization that shelters women escaping bad situations. ICE has allowed me to move forward, and Nichelle has wonderful connections to get the girls visas" she explains "they can take care of themselves, with volunteers and me checking in. And since they no longer need to hide from the police, they can be protected by us now"
"Wow" Luca says, then he eyes Street in the review mirror "you knew about this, didn't you buddy"
"Why do you think I couldn't get a date night?" He asks, laughing
"I can't believe you didn't tell us" Tan says pretending to be hurt
"Chris made me not tell anyone" He says "left in the dark too bud"
"Because if ICE said no, then I wouldn't be coming back" Chris explains "told him at date night the other day. So don't worry Tan, I kept it from him too" Tan chuckles
"Wait, what about that?" Luca asks "the rules?"
"Deacon and I confirmed they can work together as long as they keep it professional. Which they have done before" Hondo answers
"Let's go!" Luca cheers "the band's back together!"
"Guys, I wasn't gone that long" she says "it was only a little less than nine months"
"Doesn't matter" Deacon says "didn't feel the same" the others nod
"Almost there!" Luca calls
"Alright, we know what to do, keep it clean. Fill the gaps-" Hondo says
"Stay liquid!" The group shouts, their voices strong and confident, feeling as if the day could not get any better. The team unloads and enters the loading bay area. Chris finds a place to set up her sniping gun, while the rest surround the place. At about 7:30, Danny comes out to wait for the boat. When St. Sandler enters the harbor, Danny waves it over. Two men come off the boat, followed by about twenty workers who carry boxes of the pills off the boat.
"Anyone follow you?" One man asks
"No, I'm not an idiot. Why are we doing this during the day?" Danny asks "normally this is at night"
"Was told a different time today, who knows why" the man says "name?"
"Danny Robinson"
"I see, here is your name" the man says crossing off Danny's name on a list attached to a clipboard
"How many boxes?" He asks
"Over 100, but only need to sell 20, alright?" The other man asks "got a deal?"
"Wait for it" Hondo radios, the team eyes Danny as he shakes the man's hand "go go go!" The team enters the dock all shouting
"Hands in the air! Get on the ground! LAPD SWAT!" It is chaos, many workers either drop to the ground or run back into the boat, allowing Tan and Street to detain almost all of them. Deacon and Hondo grab two men and Danny. Luca sees the last worker and runs to catch him, freaked out, the man makes a run for it
"You are under arrest" Luca shouts as he jumps on him and cuffs the guy. After getting him up, Luca brings the guy to the group
"Now we can do this the hard way, or we can skip the hassle and you can start talking" Hondo says, the two men look at one another. A mintue of silence passes before a worker pipes up
"We don't know anything"
"Shut it Liam!" One of the main guys says. The two suspects that Hondo and Deacon caught kneel in front of Hondo. Both have brown hair, but one has green eyes and the other had brown.
"It's true" The worker named Liam says "you don't even know what is inside the boxes, none of us do"
"Prove it" Deacon says
"We are one time workers" the man to Liam's right says "used only once to unload, nothing else"
"So what, we supposed to believe that?" Hondo asks
"Hired from a website that finds one time jobs for people, all of us are from that" the man replies, the workers nod in agreement "thought it was honest work, guess not"
"Ok how about you two? Know anything about what you are smuggling?" Hondo asks the two men. They look at each other before sighing
"No alright, we do this every month for good cash. Never met anyone except the sellers and the one time workers. It's probably diamonds or something" the green eyed one says
"Think more on the lines of pills" Deacon says "pills that can kill people" the men go silent, realizing what they just brought in. Not that they haven't brought in worst shit before
"Know any other boats that are selling pills?" Hondo asks
"From this dock, just us" the brown eyed man replies "but these boxes go to different sellers. We were told to give twenty to each"
"So there must be five sellers, four are still out there" Tan says "know anyone else?"
"I got a list of names" the green eyes one says
"Then hand it over" Hondo says
Back at HQ the team goes to the locker room to take off their gear
"What a bunch of weirdos" Chris says "why would you take a job when you don't know anything about it?"
"That's the world of criminals" Street jokes, she nods, not wanting to get them in trouble
"Chris, you can talk to Street you know and joke" Deacon says "that is professional"
"Just don't go too crazy" Luca jokes, and Chris playfully shoves him
"Let's get started on finding these four suspects" Hondo says "taking down the boat means they will get skittish, so we gotta work quickly"
"We got you boss" Luca says, then he sees the lunch box "Hondo, I just want to see if Isa is outside"
"I'll come as well" Deacon says "be back in ten at most"
"Say hi for me" Hondo says, Deacon and Luca grab their food and head into the parking lot. Going to the tree, Isa is still no where in sight
"This worries me" Luca says "think we said something?"
"Looking for the Freak?" A boy asks them, he stands on the outside of the parking lot
"What is your name?" Luca asks as they come closer
"Mitchel Flanders" he says "live up in Brentwood" even if he hadn't said it, taking one look at Mitchel gives it away. He wears the most expensive shoes Deacon has ever seen on a kid, and the clothes are all from top brands. He is well fed and looks to be older than Isa, but who knows anymore. He has sandy brown hair with harsh green eyes. His whole appearance sets off the flag of 'hey I'm a spoiled rich kid'
"Is the person named Isa?" Deacon asks, the boy smirks evilly, the name getting his attention
"You must mean Isaac the Idiot" the boy teases "the Freak is gone right now"
"What does that mean?" Luca asks
"Means his pops kept Isaac's ass home" the boy says "Rumors are that his pops killed a man. But don't worry, Isaac is just a loser"
"Be careful with your words man" Luca says, trying to not lose his temper
"If I were you, forget the Freak, he is not right in the head. My mama says it comes from the mom. Word is that mom was raped by the pops, and out came Isaac. My mama says runts like the Freak don't go anywhere but down in life" the boy begins to walk away "Isaac the Idiot! His dad the ass! His mom the slut! Where you find Issac, you find the freak show!" The boy chants down the street. Deacon and Luca look at each other
"Children" Deacon says "what I did do to deserve angels?"
"Great parents create angel kids" Luca points out "you think that he is telling the truth"
"One thing about kids, they lie. And by the sounds of it, he doesn't know what is true and what isn't" Deacon says "come on, she isn't going to show up with Mitchel here. He could be the kid who beat her up" Luca nods, his previous mood diminishing. The two head inside and join the team
"How did it go?" Hondo asks, then he sees their faces "that bad?"
"Met a rich kid named Mitchel, started saying all these rumors about Isa" Deacon says, disgusted as his parental instinct kicks in "apparently her name on the streets is either Isaac the Idiot or the Freak. Which ever one they feel like using"
"Terrible" Street says "did you find her?" Luca shakes his head
"Maybe she will be there when shift is over" Hondo says "right now, let's focus" the two nod.
After an hour the team gets an address
"What do you have for me Hondo?" Hicks asks, being called over
"Adam Bronzer, 25 year old man who also has a degree in marketing, we believe he is also a seller. There is CTV footage of him coming into the dock every month, and picking up boxes from the St. Sandler" Hondo says, Hicks nods "let's roll" on the way, Chris asks
"Who is Isaac exactly? Is that Isa?"
"Isaac goes by Isa. She is a kid Luca found in a tree a few days ago" Tan replies "he is becoming really attached"
"I'm just worried man" Luca argues "she goes by Isa, nice, polite, and really smart. But she doesn't know a lot either"
"What does that mean?" Chris asks
"She didn't know what a store was or what family and friends are" Deacon explains
"Didn't know what a belt was used for either" Street says "except being used as a weapon" Chris nods, getting the idea
"Hope she turns up, sounds like she has a harsh home life. And with bullies, makes it ten times worst"
When the team arrives to the address of Adam Bronzer's house. Hondo knocks on the door, there is no answer
"Chris, the door" she nods, breaking the lock which allows the door to swing open. The team enters, there are five boxes on the floor. Street takes a knife and opens the box to find pills as the styrofoam filling. The actual package is the cases and lids, the rose stamped on each lid
"At least shipping was free" he jokes. The team searches the place but doesn't find Adam.
"Guess we wait for him to show up?" Tan asks, Hondo nods. Minutes turn into an hour and then they hear a knock on the door. Hondo checks the peep hole and sees a college kid standing in front of the door
"Can we help you?" Hondo asks
"Just looking for Bronzer, you a friend of his?" The kid asks
"What do you need?" Hondo asks
"Pills, I can't sleep without them" the kid shakes nervously, suffering from withdrawals
"How much you got?" Hondo calls put
"50 for ten cases" the kid says, Hondo doesn't answer right away so he adds "I got midterms to think about alright, please let me in"
"30-David, we have one kid who appears to be suffering withdrawals from the Sleeping Beauty Pill" Deacon says
"Sending RA your way" Hicks radios back, Hondo opens the door and the kid sees the six of them looking at him
"Welcome" Hondo says, taking the kid and putting him on the couch "What is your name son?"
"Derek Shard"
"Alright, Derek, I'm going to ask a simple question. Where is Bronzer?"
"Probably eating at the Shrimp place thirty minutes away" the kid says "told me once that he ate there every day"
"Guess we know where we are going next" Deacon says
"Can I get a case, please, I can't sleep without it" Derek begs
"These pills can kill you Derek" Deacon explains patiently "there are plenty of ways to sleep without the need of taking a pill" Derek doesn't seem to listen, he turns to look at Street
"I have cash" he fumbles with the dollar bills "here, take it all, I just need one, ok? Please"
"Are you seriously trying to bribe a cop?" Street asks
"It's not a bribe, it's a trade" he argues, voice shaking "I-" then the group hears the sound of ambulance sirens. Derek stands, about to run, when Tan places a calm hand on his shoulder. Derek jumps despite the light touch "you called 911?!"
"These people are going to take care of you Derek" Hondo says calmly "you and others found on the pill will be placed into a hospital. They'll help you get clean of it"
"I don't want that" Derek says frightened "I need to sleep, I can't do that without the pill"
"They will help you sleep Derek, and you will not be alone for very long" Hondo says "everyone will sleep better once this pill is off the streets" Derek looks at Hondo, his eyes turning a shade of white. He swallows nervously before nodding, accepting defeat
At the restaurant the team is looking around the perimeter. Hondo turns the corner and spots Adam eating lunch in the outside patio
"Adam Bronzer!" Hondo calls, he looks at Hondo and books it "20-David we got a rabbit!" The team starts to chase the suspect. He maneuvers around the people eating, upending tables and chairs. The citizens scream as they run, the chaos makes the team's visibly decrease. Then Chris, who was by the parking lot, sees Adam heading for his car
"24-David, suspect is coming into view" she sprints over to Adam. As Adam takes the handle of the car, Chris shoves him into the door. She grabs Adam and pushes him to the ground. Pulling out a gun she points it at his head "do not move!" the team rushes over and Tan cuffs the suspect
"20-David to Command, Chris caught the rabbit we are code 4. Chris, welcome back to SWAT life" Hondo jokes and she smiles. As the group leaves, Luca swears he saw a navy tank disappear at the restaurant's alley. As Luca drives into the motor pool, he glances at the tree only to not find his friend.
"Shift is over" Hondo says "go home, all of you. It was a great day, tomorrow, we tackle Bronze. And officially, welcome back Chris"
"Yes Chris!" Tan says and Street hugs her. The team grabs their stuff and leaves.
Luca grabs the lunch box and goes out to his car. He waits, looking at the tree
"Luca, I don't think she is coming today" Deacon says "if Mitchel is the boy who stole from her, then she won't spend her time hanging around"
"It is just bothering me. Where could she go" Luca says
"She could be close by" Chris says, coming over "waiting to see if it is safe"
"But it is, we are here now" Luca argues "we won't let anyone hurt her"
"Doesn't mean she'll come out" Chris says "Isa seems to have very good street smarts, she'll come out when she is certain the coast is clear" Luca nods. Street then comes over
"How about a drink, I'll buy" he says, trying to make Luca feel better "to welcome back Chris"
"Street I wasn't gone that long" Chris says
"Months feel like years without you" Deacon says, which makes her blush "I'm in"
"I'll come" Luca says, trying to find a distraction
"Sweet, Tan and Hondo are coming too!" Street says "let's go" the group leaves, but not before Luca looks at the tree again. He imagines just for a second that Isa is sitting there, waving to him. He smiles to himself before the picture vanishes