Later At Home
After coming home after doing some detective work, the case file to investigate the Militia was next.
Soon, in the living room, Arnold found Spinelli in a black hoodie and sweatpants and found her messing around with their kids, having a great time.
"Hey, guys." Arnold smiled.
"DADDY!" The three shouted and ran over to their father.
Right after Amelia, Pamela, and Allen hugged their father, Spinelli soon came over but stood aside.
"Aw, I love you three…" Arnold embraced the three with a smile. "You guys are the most important thing in my world, I love you…"
"We love you too, Dad, we're thankful for all that you do for us…" Amelia answered.
"We love you, Dad." Both Pamela and Allen told him with a smile.
Arnold soon let go of the three. "Alright, Pam and Allen, you two run along and play. Amy?" Allen and Pamela ran back to the couch while Amelia kissed his cheek and walked away.
Arnold soon embraced Spinelli in a warm hug. "Oh, sweetheart… How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I feel a lot better now. Thanks, Arnold…" Spinelli smiled warmly. Arnold rubbed her back. "You have no idea how happy I feel hearing that." He gave several kisses to her forehead.
"So, what's next, fearless leader?" Spinelli smirked. "Actually… I was thinking of later this afternoon heading with Trev to where the Militia run their experiments."
"So, what do you have in mind right now?" Spinelli asked. Arnold nuzzled against her nose. "I think you should have your answer."
"Yeah… Right after you change and shower! You smell like sweat and a rusty car battery!" Spinelli chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know… I'll see you in a little, sweetie." Arnold walked away.
Spinelli soon walked back to the couch. "Alright, now who's next to gettin' creamed on Madden?" She smirked.
Pamela dropped the controller and decided to sit on the floor.
"Looks like you're next, Al!" Spinelli cracked her knuckles.
"Have mercy…" Allen whispered. Kathleen rubbed his head. "Nice knowing you, little bro…" Allen yelped immediately.
Spinelli sat down and picked up the controller. "Just 'cause you're my kid doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. Now hurry up and choose your team, I ain't got all day!"
Allen gulped as he chose a random football team.
Later…
"We're not past the first quarter and you're already trailing 31 zip…" Kathleen lowered her eyelids. Spinelli shrugged. "What can I say? I'm just that girl."
Allen threw the controller on the coffee table and decided to stand up and simply walk away. Arnold soon came by and raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"What's with Allen? He never walks away from his games." Arnold asked while messing with his hair.
"Oh, nothing… He trailed Mom by thirty-plus points in the first quarter…" Kathleen answered.
"Spinelli…" Arnold lowered his eyelids at her.
"C'mon, Arnold! You know I get competitive when it comes to that! Besides, I can't help it if I'm just that good at Madden!" Spinelli set the controller aside.
"I think you have to talk with Al over that." Arnold suggested.
"How come?"
"Spinelli, you know he doesn't take that kind of loss lightly! I mean, who am I to deny it's just a game? But we can't have him moping around about it." He explained.
Spinelli sighed. "Alright… I guess I'll talk to Allen. I guess I was being a little too competitive, was I?" Arnold nodded in agreement. Spinelli soon got up and walked to the stairs.
Arnold sat down on the couch and ruffled Pamela's hair. "How are you two holding up?" He asked.
Spinelli knocked on Allen's bedroom door. "Al? You in there?"
"Go away, Mom!" A muffled reply came through.
Spinelli started to feel even more awful than what she felt a few minutes ago. "Allen, come on, I just want to talk with you!"
"NO!"
Spinelli sighed as she resorted to her lockpicking secret. Pulling out a simple device from her pocket, made it much quicker.
Opening the door, she found Allen lying in his bed with his face buried in his pillow.
"Allen…" Spinelli sat on his bed. "C'mon, sweetheart…"
"I told you to go away, Mom!" A muffled response from Allen. "Listen, Allen! At least hear me out! Ok, sweetie?" Spinelli gently rubbed his left calf.
Allen groaned in frustration and sat up.
"Listen, Allen… I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I got too competitive and unsportsmanlike. I guess I got competitive because it's in my nature, not just while fighting street thugs. But I guess I let it get in the way of something I love with my whole heart, and that is enjoying the time I get to spend with my kids… I let my competitive nature get to me, and I hurt your feelings because of it… I'm really sorry, hun…" Spinelli explained.
Allen sat there for a moment, thinking of what or how he should answer. "… I forgive you, Mom…"
Spinelli gave a small smile. "C'mon, sweetie. As a way to apologize." She opened her arms for a hug. Allen soon hugged her. "I love you, Mom… I'm grateful for everything you do for me…"
"Don't worry about it, hun…" Spinelli started. "Hey. I'll tell you a little something."
"What?" Allen asked.
"You want to know why you have that slight competitive edge?" Spinelli questioned.
"Uh… No? No, why?"
Spinelli rubbed his head. "You get it from me and your father. You can see why your sister Kathleen has a competitive fire when it comes to stuff she likes." She chuckled. "But you can see why. It runs in the family DNA."
"Wow… I guess that also explains why me and Pamela fight over stuff?" Allen asked. Spinelli shrugged. "Eh, I don't think that's exactly why but… Anyhow, I love you guys no matter what, and I'm more than blessed to have you three as my kids." Spinelli smiled while messing with his hair. "Hey. Why don't you go back downstairs and hop back on your PS5? Any games you want for today will be on me." She kissed his head.
"Thanks, Mom." Allen smiled. "Just remember, don't be greedy…" Spinelli lowered her eyelids for a moment before smiling again. "Go on, hun."
Allen soon got out of his bed and sprinted to the living room. Arnold walked in with a warm smile on his face. "I can see you patched things up."
"Yeah…" Spinelli smiled. Arnold opened his arms for a hug. Spinelli wouldn't hesitate for a hug, so she embraced him in a tight hug.
Arnold kissed her cheek. "Remember how you didn't get pregnant with Allen the first time?" He asked. "Man, that honestly had me freakin' the hell out! But who am I to lie I didn't enjoy those three hours, mm?" She lightly giggled in his ear.
"Oh, believe me, Spinelli, that honestly scared me knowing you weren't pregnant, but at least the second time was the charm." Arnold kissed her cheek. "Spinelli, I'm blessed to have married someone as unique and as beautiful and special as you." Arnold smiled.
"I can say the same for you, Arnold." Spinelli kissed his cheek and smiled. "Could you do that again? I didn't feel that." Arnold smirked.
Spinelli smirked. She decided to give a very light peck on his cheek, her lips barely grazing his cheek.
"Oh, you tease!" Arnold chuckled.
"You want to feel the back of my hand?" Spinelli chuckled. "Alright, how about we get an ice cream or smoothie? It'll be my treat." Arnold offered.
Spinelli pressed her lips against Arnold's lips with her tongue swirling in his mouth for a moment. "Is that a clear answer?" She smiled. Arnold nuzzled against her nose. "All I needed." He smiled and linked his arm with hers.
Later
After getting ice cream, which also meant running into fans of their business work, Arnold and Spinelli were currently in the park enjoying a walk.
"OHMAIGAWD! Mr. and Mrs. Shortman, can I PLEASE get an autograph? I love everything you do for our city!" A teenage girl around seventeen years old came up to them.
"Uh, sure. You got anyt-" The girl pulled a pen from her pocket and interrupted him. "Ok…" Arnold grabbed the pen. "Where do I sign?"
She pulled out a photo of him from her pocket. Arnold proceeded to sign it.
The girl ran off yelling her head off in exhilaration.
"Geez, I actually can't believe how people can be like that…" Spinelli said while her arm was linked with Arnold's. Arnold shrugged. "I'd say there's worse. You know some girls want their idol to sign weird stuff, like for example, their breasts." Spinelli glared at him. "Baby, you know I never did that ever! I give you my word!"
"Don't even dare think of doing that, asshole…" Spinelli warned. Arnold kissed her head. "Sweetie, I promise you I never would."
Spinelli merely scoffed and rested against him while Arnold had an arm over her shoulder.
"So, Arnold, tell me. What happened after I left? I don't think you explained it to me yet." Spinelli asked out of curiosity.
Arnold shrugged. "Well, I can't say much about the highway pileup, but for the docks… Apparently, Gino was involved in that mess, but I feel like that was expected, somewhat. It was an arms and drugs deal with street thugs with possible trafficking. We'll get after him, just not right now, we have business to deal against the Militia." He explained.
"Think you'll need an extra hand?" Spinelli offered. Arnold shook his head. "I think you better stay home for the majority of the day, but I will ask for you when I need to. M'kay?" Arnold kissed her forehead while they walked along.
"I love you." Arnold snickered while nuzzling against her, making Spinelli lightly giggle. "I love you too, Arnold." She smiled back.
"Remember when we first had Amelia? Feels like just last week she was a cute little baby resembling you." Arnold smiled. "Man, those pregnancy days were tough, I can't lie." Spinelli started. "But it's definitely worth it to see how beautiful children grow into the destined person they'll one day be."
"You got that right. And this family wouldn't be possible without the best wife ever." Arnold kissed her cheek and smiled. Spinelli only smiled.
Later That Evening…
Just around sunset, Shadow and Scarlet were meeting with the police Commissioner in his office after picking up on some drug operations.
"…our most wanted on the FBI's list. They'll be at the local apartment complex at 59. We don't have much info on who these people are, all we know is that they killed two of our FBi members and that they were ID'd as African-Americans. I believe there are three of them." The Commissioner finished explaining.
"So… What do you exactly need us to do?" Scarlet asked.
The Commissioner exhaled as he didn't know how to put it. "Listen, the FBI is ready to go undercover, we already planned out the situation, but here's where I want you guys to come in. Shadow, you have a strike team, right?" Gallup looked at a file.
"Uh, yeah?" Shadow answered.
"Right, I'll need Trickshot if possible, the FBI and I have a plan on whether or if we can apprehend them." Gallup explained.
"What do you mean 'if'?" Scarlet asked.
"You know there can be thugs that resist arrest." Gallup replied. "Um… Now then, Shadow? Can you make it happen?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, now exactly do you have planned, Commish?" Scarlet asked again.
"I'm glad you asked." Gallup started. "The FBI will be going undercover as firefighters, but, here's the thing. We'll have one of our own officers pull the fire alarm, BUT, we'll have a team outside waiting a minute after the alarm is pulled. This is where you guys come in. You two will be searching room to room, but you'll be having any citizen evac from their rooms. We know what precise apartment room they'll be in. You two break into their room, but you'll have to find a way to lure them out where the FBI is waiting with your man." Gallup explained the plan.
"When you say undercover firefighters, are you telling us you want us in fire's clothing? Like, full turnouts?" Scarlet asked. Gallup nodded. "That's right. We managed to burrow turnouts from the nearby Station 7."
Scarlet and Shadow looked at each other, and back at the Commissioner. "We'll do it."
"I knew I could count on you guys." The Commissioner turned around for a moment. "We'll meet in a half hour. Sounds good?" He turned around, only to find out they already disappeared, and saw his window was open.
Gallup shook his head. "Every damn time…" He slapped the file folder on his desk.
On the PD rooftop…
"Well, guess I'll be needing your help after all." Arnold scratched the back of his head. Spinelli only smirked at him. "You think you're up for it?" Arnold asked.
"Am I? I'm more than up for it!" She cracked her knuckles.
Arnold snapped his fingers. "Hold up a sec… Montgomery and Warren have their old turnout gear, right?"
"I believe so, why?" Spinelli shrugged. "There's our answer." Arnold smirked.
Half Hour Later…
Half an hour passed, currently at the apartment complex, most of the apartment was already evacuated, but the thugs weren't alerted just yet, well, except for the fire alarm already going off.
Soon, the UFRT slowly stopped near the SWAT vans with its brakes hissing and its sirens flashing.
Hopping out, the selected members approached the Commissioner, in full turnouts.
"FBI is waiting." Gallup pointed to the front entrance.
Inside, the fire alarm was going off as the FBI awaited. "Alright, let's do this…" One FBI agent said as they headed inside, everyone dressed in firefighter turnout gear and helmets.
"Geez… Travis's gear is a little more loose than I thought…" Scarlet whispered.
"Warren's gear is a little tight on me, to be honest…" Shadow whispered back.
A minute after...
Banging on the door, one unit yelled, "FIRE DEPARTMENT! YOU NEED TO EVACUATE!" He signaled ahead.
Another agent checked the door across. "HFD! YOU NEED TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY!"
Over to the room where the suspects were, they heard the yelling, but instead, they grabbed their pistols and loaded them.
"FIRE DEPARTMENT! EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!" Another unit yelled.
Soon, the Feds reached the room where the thugs were.
"This is it… We'll be right here. Your colleagues will be waiting to where they will be lured." One unit told them.
Banging on the door, Scarlet yelled, "FIRE DEPARTMENT! ANYONE IN HERE?" No response. "FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU NEED TO EVACUATE!" Still no answer.
"FINAL WARNING TO EVACUATE! WE'RE COMING IN!" Shadow got in front of the door and kicked it back to open it.
CRACK
CRASH
THUD
In the room, the three African-American thugs had their pistols pointed at them, thinking they were real firefighters. One thing that stood out tremendously was that one of the thugs carried a toddler on his arm.
"Back the fuck up, and leave us the fuck alone, bitches!" The thug warned as the fire alarm kept going off. "Drop that stuff!"
"Woah! Easy, now… Easy…" Arnold lowered the halligan he had to the floor and raised his hands. Spinelli did the same. "We're just looking for fire… Just calm down, we're not here to harm anyone…" Spinelli said.
"I don't give a fuck what you here for, bitch!" One thug exclaimed.
"Cool it on her… We're just looking for fire, that's all…" Shadow said.
"Let the place fuckin' burn! But we leavin'!" The thug who held the toddler exclaimed. He soon placed the toddler on the ground. "Go to your momma. That's it, baby." The mother of the toddler was there in silence and fear.
"We're just firefighters, man... There's no need for this..."
The thugs kept their pistols pointed at them. "Shut up and get to movin'! We leavin'!" Two thugs stepped forward.
Both of them grabbed Shadow and Scarlet by their gear and smothered the tip of their pistols against their necks.
They walked outside and found the two other FBI agents surrendered.
"AYE! BACK THE FUCK UP! BACK THE FUCK UP OR YOU'LL SEE THE INSIDES OF THESE FOOLS!" The thug shouted. The two agents lowered their halligans while covering their rifles.
The third thug kept an eye on them. "KEEP BACK, BITCH! I AIN'T AFRAID TO POP YO ASS!"
They slowly kept walking forward, using Shadow and Scarlet as human shields. They ran into two more 'firefighters' ahead.
"That's right, step aside, pussy! Woulda popped your bitch ass if you didn't!" The thug with Scarlet warned.
"KEEP BACK! I'M WARNING Y'ALL!" The thug with Shadow warned as his pistol was at the back of his head.
"KEEP BACK, BITCH! LAST TIME I'M TELLIN' Y'ALL BUNCH OF BITCHES!" The thug behind warned.
The FBI agents behind looked at each other for a moment, waiting for the precise moment.
Soon, they reached the lobby. More 'firefighters' were there, standing in front of the elevator doors with rifles pointed.
"HANDS IN THE AIR!"
"DROP YOUR WEAPON!" The FBI agent yelled.
The doors opened, Trickshot had been waiting outside for the last minute, readying his rifle.
"DROP YOUR MOTHERFUCKIN' WEAPON!"
"HANDS IN THE AIR!"
"BACK THE FUCK UP OR I'MA SHOOT!"
"DROP IT, DAMMIT!"
"FUCK YOU! I AIN'T DROPPIN' SHIT, PUSSY ASS PIGS!"
As the yelling ensued, Spinelli and Arnold nodded at each other.
Elbowing the ribs of the two thugs that held them hostage, they immediately dropped to the ground.
"OPEN FIRE!" Trickshot shouted as he had his own specially designed rifle in hand.
One thug fired at the FBI agent, instantly knocking her down.
Trickshot threw three throwing stars at them, hitting two of them in the arm. The third was killed by a throwing star to the head along with taking a bullet to the head.
The thug flopped down on his back to the floor as Trickshot fired a bullet, hitting one off a wall.
The bullet would end up trickshotting around for a second before sniping one thug in the heart, and the second in the head. Both of them fell on their backs on top of the first dead thug.
Once the gunfire ended, Arnold and Spinelli looked back to see the dead thugs. They looked back at each other and gave a brief relieved smile at each other.