Caller on the Line

Part 3

by: Savage

Hola amigos! Here is part three! Now we know it took a while but we think you’ll find it to be worth the wait. =D

===========================================================================

Rita paced back and forth, listening to the relentless beeps and tones of the monitors behind her. The hours seemed to drag on, endlessly. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t shut out the images of the previous night: Chris lying motionless on the floor, in a pool of his own blood. ‘If only I had gotten there faster....’ ‘She wouldn’t have gotten away if.....’ So many thoughts were racing through her mind she couldn’t put a clear one together.

She walked over and looked out the window. They were on the sixth floor and had a fairly decent view of the city. It was still dark out, but a golden-red sliver of light could be seen on the horizon. She glanced at the clock on the wall, it was 6:01. It had been four hours sense their Captain, Richard, Steven, and the other officers went home. They had suggested that she do the same, but of course, she refused.

She walked over and took a seat by her sleeping partner. She gently took his right hand in hers and interlaced their fingers. She stared for a moment at his heavily wrapped left shoulder and then at the large bandage above his eye. The doctors had said that the bullet had lodged in the muscles of Chris’ upper arm. The damage was not critical, but what really had them worried was the concussion he suffered during the fall. This had Rita worried as well.

She gently placed her free hand on his forehead and brushed his hair back. When he suddenly began to stir she jerked her hand away.

Chris glanced around the room as bits and pieces of his memory began to return to him. Then his eyes began to focus on the woman sitting next to him.

"Hey." Rita whispered as she gently kissed his hand.

"Hey sunshine." His voice was a little horse and raspy.

"How do you feel?"

"Ok. How’s Williams?" Chris stared up at her and waited for an answer. When he saw her eyes drop and then close he knew the answer. "Oh God." He groaned weakly. "When?"

"He was DOA Chris." Chris sighed and closed his eyes. "We gotta get her Sam."

"We? No Chris we are not going to do any thing you are going to do get some rest." Chris knew that tone and that arguing with her would only be hopeless. "You scared the hell out of me ya know." She said once Chris opened his eyes again.

"Yeah, sorry about that Sam." Chris flashed her a very weak version of the Lorenzo smile. Rita laughed at his remark but the smile soon faded from her face and her voice took on a more serious tone.

"I thought I was gonna lose you Chris...." She couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over as she looked down at their joined hands. "I love you so much." Her words were barely audible but they made Chris’ heart leap into his throat.

"Rita..." He began as he choked back some tears of his own. "It’s like I said before, you are never gonna lose me."

Rita looked up and their eyes met. All at once a sudden wave of relief came over her as she knew the words he had just spoken were true. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. When she pulled away he was grinning from ear to do ear.

"What?" Rita asked throwing him a suspicious look.

"Well....nahh...forget it." Chris closed his eyes and pretended to do go back to do sleep.

"Chris!" Rita said as she squeezed his hand.

"Well," Chris said as the week yet mischievous smile returned to do his face "I love you too."

===========================================================================

Some where in down town Palm Beach, in a small run down hotel room, a woman toils endlessly over her work. A wicked grin slowly spread across her lips as she leaned back and admired her masterpiece.

Strewn in front of her, on the small table was a horrid display. Distorted pictures of Kate Garrison’s murder, overlapping with those of Richard had been skillfully crafted to do form a small frame. In the oddly shaped frame the woman placed a picture of herself and next to do it she left space enough for another.

In completion of her labor, she took out a case of red lipstick and across the board scrolled the words: "OUR DESTINY". Satisfied with her efforts, the woman stood and walked over to the bed. As she sat down she took the phone off of the night stand and proceeded to dial.

"It’s me." She said into the receiver once the other end responded. "Just shut up and listen." Her voice was cold enough to freeze brimstone.

"I’m coming back tomorrow night to get the rest of my stuff. If you speak one word of this to anyone I’ll kill you."

With these last words spoken she placed the phone back on it’s cradle. Once again her lips parted in a fiendish smile as all began to fall into place.

===========================================================================

It was lunch time when Rita met with her Captain at the Roach Coach. She needed to give him the formal incident report and they had to determine what their next step should be.

"So Lorenzo’s awake huh? What do the doctors say?"

"Well his shoulder isn’t messed up too bad, but he might have a pretty pad headache for the next couple of days."

"Have you finished the incident report yet?"

"Yeah it just needs your signature."

Harry nodded and began to inspect his plate of lettuce. "So what’s next?" He asked as he looked up again.

"Well," Rita began. She took a sip of her bottled water before she continued. "There’s not much else we can do Cap. We’ve sort of hit a brick wall here."

"I’m not settling for that Lance." Harry calmly sat his fork down and placed both hands on the table. "We got a psycho on the loose and I want to know what you plan on doing about it." Rita sighed, she could tell he was getting wound up.

"Ok Cap, umm....." It was lucky for her that her phone began to ring. Harry sighed at the interruption and once again returned his attention to his lettuce.

"Sgt. Lance....Wait a minute....slow down......what?!" Harry looked up and a frown crossed his brow as he listened to Rita’s half of the conversation.

"Ok tonight?....and you’re sure it was her?......No don’t try to contact me again. I’ll be in touch. Thank you."

"Well?" Harry asked.

"Cap I think we just found a hole in our brick wall. That was the manager of Night Life. He said that the woman he rented the room to just called him and said she was coming back to the club tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night? Don’t you think that’s a little odd? You really think she’s going to return to the club so soon after she almost got caught?" He shook his head something about this just didn’t seem right to him.

"I don’t know Cap. Maybe she’s trying to move as soon as she can, she knows the heat’s on." She stood and began to gather up her things. Harry did the same. "Besides, it’s not like we have any thing else to go on."

"Yeah." Harry said as he tossed his plate in a near by trash can. The wheels in his head were still turning. "Follow up on this Lance. I want to know everything you come up with. And I don’t want any mistakes this time!!" Harry turned and began to walk back to the station.

The only response Rita was left with was a slightly dejected "Sure Cap."

===========================================================================

"Come on Chris just a few more steps." Rita said as she entered Chris’ loft with her partner draped against her.

"Ok Ok." Chris groaned as the two of them awkwardly hobbled their way over to the couch.

"God you weigh a ton!" She sighed as she gently helped him to sit down. "So how’s your head?" She asked as she folded her arms in front of her.

"It’s Ok." Chris had sort of a goofy spaced out look on his face, a side effect of the pain medication he was given at the hospital. "Come here." He said playfully as he reached out for her with his good arm.

"Chris!" Rita exclaimed as she eluded his grasp. "Cap expects me back in twenty minutes." She began to walk away but Chris stood and caught her from behind. He encircled her waist with his good arm and nuzzled into her hair. "We’ll just have to hurry then."

Rita suddenly felt a cold chill run down her spine as Chris began placing a stream of hot enticing kisses on her neck. "Ya know..." She said as she managed to squirm away from him. "I think those pain killers have you acting even goofier than usual"

"Is that so?" Chris grinned as he swaggered over to her, once again capturing her in his arms. He pulled her closer and his mouth descended on her in a deep passionate kiss. Rita couldn’t resist him even if she wanted to.

"Chris....." Her voice was in a horse whisper. "We cant do this...not now." She reluctantly pulled away and walked past him over to the couch.

"Why not Sammy?" Chris whined as he followed her and plopped down. He was pouting a little.

"Because, I have to get to work, and you, my friend, need to do get some rest." She folded her arms in front of her and looked down at him in triumph.

"I don’t need rest Sammy," Chris said as a mischievous smile slowly began to do spread across his lips. "I need some thing else."

Rita’s eyes widened as his comment took her completely off guard. "Stay here." He pleaded as he flashed her his best puppy dog look. Rita knew if she gave in to even five minutes, she would never get to work.

"I can’t..." Her voice trailed of a little as Chris added a quick lip quiver to the already pathetic stare he was giving her. "I don’t want to go Chris," She confessed after a moment. "but I have to."

Chris groaned as he gave up his efforts and went back to pouting.

"You know I want to stay Chris." Rita said, attempting to make him feel better. Chris just pouted even more. "Fine be that way." She said at last. "I’ll see you tonight then ok?"

"I don’t know...maybe...maybe not." Chris stretched out on the couch and closed his eyes.

"Take it or leave it Sam." She made it very clear that this was her final offer.

"Alright!!" Chris sat up quick. "I’ll take it!!"

===========================================================================

When Rita arrived back at the station, she and her captain got right to work. They had less 24 hours to devise a fail proof plan for the stake out. They had to cover every angle, nothing could be left to chance. Getting the club completely secure was a difficult task alone, but to make matters worse, the national debut of Richard’s radio show was tomorrow night as well. This was a point that had both Rita and Harry concerned.

"We just don’t have the man power to cover this Lance!!" Lipshitz said as he slammed a folder down on the table. Rita just sighed as she watched him pace back and forth in frustration. They had been in interrogation room 3 for most of the night and they had yet to find a solution.

"I don’t understand this!" Harry fumed as he turned to face her once again.

"What’s that Cap." Rita stopped rubbing her temples for a moment to look at him.

"This is one woman. One insane woman. And yet she alone has been able to elude an entire police department!!"

"She got lucky last night Cap," Rita said in a tone which sounded like she was trying to convince herself more that the man in front of her. "Its not going to happen again."

"Well it damn well better not!" Harry took a seat across from her and put his head in his hands. "Williams is dead Chris will be laid up for who knows how long..." He sighed deeply as he looked up and met her eyes. "I don’t need any more dead heros Rita."

There was a long silence as they both contemplated the crucialness of the situation. "Ok, how about this..." Rita finally broke the silence. "How about we eliminate the station angle. I don’t think she’s gonna go after Richard if she’s trying to make a break for it."

"I don’t think so either, but there’s still a risk that she might. I just don’t feel comfortable leaving those two exposed like that. Maybe we could have a person there to run the tracer just in case."

"Alright." Rita yawned "How about we wrap up the details tomorrow."

"Yeah I gotta get home." He stood and Rita did the same. "No matter how many years go by Franny still insists on waiting up for me."

Rita laughed a little at the broad smile that had appeared on her captains face. Whenever he spoke of his wife his mood would always brighten. She couldn’t help but wonder if she and Chris would ever be that way.

===========================================================================

Rita folded her arms in front of her trying to shut out the chill of the night air as she walked through the dimly lit parking garage. She suddenly came to an abrupt stop a few rows away from her car. She turned around and looked across the wide expanse of the lot. There was nothing there but a few solitary cars and silence. However Rita had the feeling she was not alone. The stillness around her was like the intense quiet moments before a storm--- a calmness that was impending of doom.

"Who’s there?!" Rita called out as she drew her gun. She carefully surveyed the area through the dim yellow light. After a moment or two she sighed and put away her gun as she came to the conclusion that she was alone.

"You gotta get some sleep." She told herself as she approached her car.

As she backed out of her parking spot and drove towards the exit a dark figure emerged from the shadows. "Your not gonna ruin this for me." The woman spoke in a sinister whisper as she leaned against a parked car. A wicked smile slowly spread across her lips as she spoke: "What is destined shall come to pass."

===========================================================================

It was 11:40 when Rita glanced at the clock and kicked off her shoes. She dropped her briefcase by the coffee table and headed wearily up the spiral staircase to her bedroom. Just short of her room she once again got the feeling she was not alone, her heart pounded faster as the feeling grew stronger. She cautiously opened the door and peered into the darkness when suddenly she felt the presence behind her. She spun around quickly and was immediately captured by two strong, yet familiar arms.

"What are you doing here!" She gasped breathlessly just before her mouth was covered by another.

"Where the hell have you been." Chris groaned hoarsely before capturing her mouth once again. He kissed her so deep and hard that once he pulled away Rita could barley respond.

"Working.......with Cap." She breathed as she brought him back down to her. Their lips met again in a deep burning kiss that only added to the desperate hunger that was growing furiously between them.

"God I missed you." Chris whispered as his mouth trailed away from hers and came down to her neck. Rita quickly drew him closer as they stumbled backwards through the darkness, removing various articles of clothing along the way. She deepened the kiss they had been embraced in when she felt the bed behind her. Then quickly unfastened the buttons of his shirt and slid it gently off his shoulders.

Chris couldn’t keep his hands still. By this time he had been able to successfully remove her skirt and open her blouse half way, but this was not enough. He desperately needed to feel even inch of her. "You make me so crazy Sam..." he confessed to her as he let the blouse fall slowly off her body. He let his lips brush lightly against hers before kissing her fully.

Rita couldn’t prevent a groan from escaping her lips when Chris once again focussed his kisses on the sensitive spot on her neck. The slow urgency that was building up inside of her suddenly became a desperate frantic need as she felt his hand traveling down her back. Rita took a step back and pulled him down on the bed with her, allowing her hands to immediately to travel down to his waist.

Chris closed his eyes and tried to stay in control as he felt the zipper of his pants slowly come down. He couldn’t stop trembles from vibrating through every inch of his body as he felt her hands begin to slide over his back. Being with her was like nothing he had ever experienced and it was something he needed to know was going to last forever. Chris opened his eyes and stared down into two intense pools of deep green.

"I’ve waited so long for this." Chris said softly as he gently brushed a few stray hairs away from her face. "Do you know how much I love you Rita?" his voice shook a little, emphasizing the emotion that lied within his words.

His words made Rita’s heart race. She had always dreamed of hearing those words from him, and now her dream had finally become a reality. "You love me Sam?" She asked as she gently traced the outline of his lips with her fingers.

"God yes Rita." Chris was barely able to control himself when he felt her legs wrap around him as he spoke. "I love you so much."

"Show me how much Chris." She whispered as she brought his lips down to her once again. Chris kissed her with every thing he had. He had ever intention of doing exactly as she asked.

===========================================================================

The next morning Chris had insisted on going to work. Rita of course tried to make him stay home, but Chris was persistent. In the end despite all her efforts she finally gave in.

"You know I still think this is a bad idea partner." Rita said as they walked through the palm tree double doors.

"You worry too much Sam." Chris perched himself on the edge of Rita’s desk as she sat in her chair. She threw him a disapproving glare before she began removing some files from her briefcase.

"Rita, I’m fine really." Chris took her hand and forced her to look at him. "My headache is gone and my arm hardly hurts at all as long as I take those pills." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as he looked into her eyes. "You worry too much." He repeated.

Rita sighed and shook her head. She knew there was no way she would be able to go home. "Just doin’ my job partner." She said as she smiled hopelessly at him.

Her smile always made his heart skip a beat. All of a sudden he got the overwhelming urge to kiss her. He knew he couldn’t act on this impulse so he leaned forward and whispered three little words to her instead.

"I know." Rita responded with an even broader smile.

"LORENZO!" Their intimate moment was interrupted by the booming voice of captain Lipshitz.

"Hey Cap!" Chris said as he turned around. The smile that was on his face dropped immediately as he saw Harry’s expression.

"What the HELL are you doin’ here!!" Harry demanded. "Lance what the hell is he doin’ here!!!"

"Cap I tried to--" Rita began as she stood.

"Hey Cap it’s not her fault." Chris quickly cut in in her defense.

"Lorenzo you know you shouldn’t be here." Harry moaned as she began to rub his temples.

"I know Cap. But there is now way you can expect me to just sit at home and do nothing when you and Rita go after Destiny. This is my case too ya know."

"Ok, Ok!" Harry said shaking his head "You can stay. But you stay OUT of the action. Is that understood?"

"Sure no problem." Chris said smiling once again.

"Good. Now Rita, why don’t you and your recovering partner here get to work. We got a lot of stuff to do before tonight."

"Tonight?" Chris asked.

"Sense this is partly his case, why don’t you let Chris cover the radio station."

"Yeah I think he’ll be able to stay out of trouble over there."

"Radio station? What?" Chris was totally confused.

"Com’on Sam I’ll explain everything."

===========================================================================

Hours later Chris and Rita had decided on lunch at the roach coach. It had been about the only thing they had been able to agree on all day. Rita had spent most of the morning explaining their plan for that night while Chris had spent most of the morning complaining about it. Needless to say that by that afternoon the mood was less than pleasant.

"For the last time, drop it." Rita said with frustration as she took a seat at one of the picnic tables near the roach coach. She threw him a look, warning him to back off as he sat down, but Chris was holding his ground.

"Sam there is no way I’m gonna be left out of this."

"Chris you don’t have much of a choice! Now you said you didn’t want to be stuck at home, well you’re not."

"Yeah! Instead you put me at the radio station baby sitting Richard and Steven!!" Chris was past his boiling point. He slammed his fist against the table, adding to the growing numbers of people who were becoming aware of their conversation.

"You’re being ridiculous about this!!" Rita stopped her self before she said any thing else and took a deep breath to calm down before she continued. "You’re hurt Chris, there is no way I’m gonna authorize you for the stake out team." Her voice was calmer now but still very stern.

Chris shook his head in frustration. He was still fuming but he lowered his voice as well to prevent attracting any more attention. "At least put me in the van Sam, that way I’ll probably never even have to go in the club!"

"It’s still too much of a risk!"

"Rita," he began through gritted teeth "you don’t have to be over protective of me just because we’re .... together."

"WHAT!!" Rita stood up and stepped from behind the table. The look on her face told Chris immediately that he had messed up, big time.

"You think THAT is what this is about!!!"

"No Rita--" Chris tried to say as he stood up.

"DAMN IT Chris!!"

"Rita keep you’re voice down!" Chris said as he went around to her side of the table.

"NO!! I cant believe you have that little faith in my sense of judgement!!"

"That’s not what I meant." Chris kept his voice low but hostility reeked in every word. He reached out for her with his good arm but she took a step back and stayed out of his reach.

"Then what exactly did you mean." She folded her arms in front of her, looked him dead in the eye and waited for an explanation. Chris took a deep breath as he fidgeted with the shoulder strap of his sling.

"What I meant was," he said as he took a step forward and lowered his voice to a softer tone "Now that we’re together, we might be seeing things........differently......At least, I sure as hell have been." Chris let out a deep sigh after telling her this.

Rita’s composure instantly softened as she realized Chris wasn’t just talking about the stake out but some thing much deeper. "What do you mean you see things differently?"

"Well," Chris took her hand as they spoke and led her around behind the roach coach, where they were out of the public eye. "It’s like last night," he began once they were clear of any on lookers. "I couldn’t even sleep knowing that you were out working without me. That’s how I ended up at your place. I knew that you weren’t in any real danger, but, I was just so worried."

Rita had remained silent this entire time and the fact that she still wasn’t saying any thing gave Chris a painful sinking feeling in his chest. "Umm Rita?" Chris had to force the words out through the lump that was quickly forming in his throat.

"Chris...." Rita began quietly as she absently twisted the friendship ring on her finger.

"Chris, Rita!!!" A louder voice suddenly interjected. The two turned around to see Steven Evens jogging towards them.

"Steven, hi." Rita said as she turned her attention away from Chris. "Shouldn’t you and Richard be getting ready for the show tonight?"

"Yeah," Steven paused a moment to catch his breath. "That’s what I wanted to talk to you guys about. Is it gonna be safe to try it to night?"

"Well--" Rita began.

"Yeah Steven it’ll be ok." Chris cut in. "I’ll be there to monitor everything there shouldn’t be anything to worry about." Rita was shocked not only had Chris agreed to monitor the radio station but he was actually being nice to Steven.

"That’s great, I’ll tell Richard then. I just hope this is all over soon."

"Don’t worry she’s not gonna get away from us this time." Rita reassured. "Tell Richard to go on as scheduled."

"We can’t thank you enough for this. I know it’s been just as hard on you guys."

"Just doin’ our jobs man." Chris said extending his hand to Steven.

===========================================================================

The rest of the day had been spent preparing for that night. Chris handled the mountain of paperwork while Rita and the Captain briefed the stake out teams on the events that were to transpire that night. It was 8:15 when Rita dropped Chris off at 91 FM radio station.

"Be careful out there Sam." Chris said as he leaned over to the driver side window.

"I will." She responded just before receiving a quick kiss on the lips from him. With that he straightened up and began to walk away but Rita called out for him to wait a second.

"You need to get going Sam." Chris said as he once again leaned over her window.

"Chris I think we need to talk about a few things." Chris’ eyes dropped. He knew she was referring to the ‘discussion’ they had had earlier.

"Yeah I know." He sighed. "We need to talk about a lot of things."

"How about we go back to my place after this is all over." She said as she put the car in gear. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had done something wrong.

"That sounds good." Chris said maintaining his stoic expression. He kept getting the sinking feeling that this was all his fault. Rita quickly picked up on his mood. "You know I love you...right?" she asked quietly through the lump in her throat.

"Of course I know that. I love you too Rita." Chris sighed as he leaned forward and captured her lips with his own once again. "There’s just a lot of things going on in my head right now Sam."

"Then why don’t you tell me about them?"

"I will, later tonight."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Ok, I’ll see ya then." With that Rita left and Chris was left behind with the nagging feeling that things weren’t turning out too well.

=========================================================================== It hadn’t taken long for the teams to suit up and get in position, now it was all just a game of waiting for something to happen. Rita and the rest of the team had been playing that game for over an hour now.

"How’s it looking down there Cap?" Rita said into her hand held radio. She was standing in the exact spot where Chris had been positioned just two nights before."

"It’s all clear on this end." Harry’s voice responded. Rita sighed in frustration as she stepped into the pale blue light of the ally. "All teams report." Rita spoke into the radio once again as she scanned the area from her position. "Team 1?" she asked.

"We’re lookin’ good." The voice answered.

"Team 2?"

"We’re good to go Sgt."

"Team 3?" Rita asked again but this time there was no response. "Harkens do you read?" Rita asked into the speaker.

"Ugh yeah...." the voice came from the radio bearing a wary tone.

"What’s going on in there?" Rita asked.

"Lance, we got movement upstairs!!"

"I’m on it." Rita quickly clipped her radio to her belt and waved to her Captain at the other end of the ally (the signal for all teams to move in). Seconds later she was taring through the crowds of dancing club hoppers. Rita bolted up the stare case to find Harkens and his partner standing next to the closed door with their weapons drawn. They looked to Rita as she too drew her gun, and with a quick nod of her head she gave the go-ahead.

"On my count!" Harkens shouted . "One...two... three!!!" With that the three crashed into the small room. A second later Cap. Lipshitz was behind them with the other officers. Harry clicked on the light as he entered the room. All were surprised to find it completely empty.

"Damn it!!" Harkens said out loud. "I was sure I--"

"Quiet!" Rita said as a frown suddenly over took her face. Every one in the room was instantly silenced as muffled shouts could be heard from across the room.

"The closet!!" Harry shouted as he made his way across the room.

===========================================================================

"And we’re back from commercial in three.....two....one...." Steven could be heard from the sound booth.

"Welcome back to the first national broadcast of Palm Beach...well let’s change that to America Speak Out!" Richard said into his head set. "Well if you’re from around these parts you know that on even show I, being the gracious host that I am give you, the public, a chance to speak out. 555-1191 is the number. You know what to do. Lets go to the phone lines!" Richard clicked a button on the panel in front of him and a voice of a man could be heard in the studio.

For the past hour or so Chris had been slumped over in a chair in the corner, trying not to go to sleep. How could he have agreed to this. This was with out a doubt the most boring assignment ever. Chris yawned as she adjusted the strap of his sling a little, he wondered what Rita was doing.

===========================================================================

Cap. Lipshitz and Rita approached the closed closet with caution. When they reached to door Rita took careful aim with her gun as Harry quickly flung open the door. Everyone in the room was shocked to find the cub manager inside tied to a chair and gagged.

"What happened here!" Rita exclaimed as she helped Harry and one of the other officers pull the rather hefty man from the closet.

"She jumped me!!" The he exclaimed, once Rita had removed the gag from his mouth. "One minute I was in my office counting out the register, the next I was in that closet!!"

"Who did this to you!" Harry demanded. As he attempted to untie the knots that were binding the manager’s hands.

"That Destiny woman, or who ever the hell she is."

===========================================================================

"Next caller! Let’s hear what you got for us." Richard said as he once again clicked a button on his control panel.

"Hello lover." A sultry, familiar voice filled the room. Chris and Richard got to their feet at the same time.

"Keep her on the line." Chris mouthed as he turned on the tracer.

"What the hell do you want." Richard spoke in a low monotone voice, free of all emotion.

"Oh, you know what I want baby." Her voice pored into the room, dripping with seduction but also filled with everything sinister and evil.

"Why are you doing this to me." Richard spoke through gritted teeth as he desperately tried to keep his emotions under control.

"Because its our Destiny lover, and what is destined shall come to pass."

"I got a number." Chris whispered as he motioned for Richard to keep going. All he needed now was an address.

===========================================================================

"How long have you been in there." Rita asked as she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"I don’t know maybe half an hour, forty five minutes at the most." The man said as he rubbed his wrists.

"That’s impossible! We’ve been watching this place for over an hour!!" Harry yelled as he fiercely began shaking his head. He looked to Rita to confirm that fact but her attention, like that of the other officers in the room had turned to the ceiling.

"Oh my God." Harry said in a low mumble as his gaze drifted upward.

===========================================================================

"Why me why did you pick me!!" Richard said as he paced back and forth around the studio. His anger and frustration was building with every step.

"You all ready know the answer to that baby." The woman giggled.

"Damn you!! Why!! Why did you kill her!!"

"I had to baby. But don’t worry I’ll be there soon to take her place."

"You could NEVER take her place!" Richard snarled.

Chris was still watching the tracer for an address to appear. A look of total panic began to slowly cross his face as the address began to appear: CELL-PHONE.

"Don’t worry baby well be together soon......sooner than you think." As he heard the voice speak again Chris suddenly became aware of what Destiny was saying. He quickly took out his cell phone and dialed Rita’s number.

===========================================================================

All eyes in the room were looking upward.

"Who would have thought it!!" Harry exclaimed "A trap door in the ceiling!"

"She planed it all along...I cant believe she set us up!" Rita said just as her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her coat pocket and picked up on the third ring. "Sgt. Lance."

"Rita!!" Chris’ panic stricken voice blared from the other end.

"Hey what’s up" Rita said in a concerned tone.

"Its a set up!!"

"Yeah Sam no kidding, we just--"

"No!! Rita you don’t understand, Destiny’s--"

===========================================================================

"Hang up and put the phone down." A low sultry voice spoke from behind Chris, as the cold barrel of a gun pressed against the back of his head. Chris did as he was told and turned to face the woman that had attacked him once before.

"Move out of the way." She commanded. Chris did so, never altering his stoic fasciae. As Chris stepped out of the way Richard came face to face with the person who had taken away the woman he loved. He was now staring into the eyes of a daemon who would haunt him the rest of his life.

===========================================================================

"He got cut off." Rita said with a frown.

"That was Chris?" Lipshitz questioned.

"Yeah he was trying to tell me that we had been set up?"

"Well, he’s at the radio station, how would he have known about this?"

"That’s just it cap he wouldn’t have....." Rita’s voice trailed off as she looked around the room. A sudden wave of panic came over her as she realized what was happening. All of the available officers were there at the club, and the one person who could have warned them about Destiny was just pulled out of the closet. "Cap!! She’s at the radio station!!"

Before she had even gotten the words out Harry had come to the same realization. "Lets go!!! NOTIFY ALL AVAILABLE UNITS!!!"

===========================================================================

"Why are you doing this to me!!!" Richard shouted at the woman that was now only a few feet away from him.

"Come here baby I’ll make it all better." Destiny whispered. She smiled but kept the gun aimed at both Chris and the man she was speaking to. Chris quickly concluded that Steven was their only hope he shot a quick glance to the sound booth and from where he was standing he could see Steven hiding behind a file cabinet.

"I’ll go get help." Steven mouthed from where he was. Chris nodded slightly, giving Steven the O.K. to make a break for it. However Destiny caught Chris’ subtle direction and looked up just in time to see Steven emerge from his hiding place. Her eyes locked with Chris’ as a wicked smile spread across her crimson red lips. Chris’ heart pounded in his chest as he realized with that single nod he had sealed the fate of Steven Evens.

"STEVEN GET DOWN!!" Chris shouted, but it was too late. In one swift movement Destiny turned and fired into the sound booth. Chris and Richard dove down to shield themselves from the shattering glass as she fired two more shots, sending Steven flying backwards; up against the wall and finally to the floor where he remained, motionless.

"NOOOOOO!" Richard yelled as he attempted to get up and help his long time friend.

"Don’t move!" The woman shrieked as she once again aimed the gun at them.

===========================================================================

Rita and Harry pulled up in front of the 91FM radio station, followed by six black and white units who’s sirens were blaring full force. Rita and the Captain bolted from the car, drawing there guns less than a second after it came to a screeching halt.

"Harkens!!!" Lipshitz shouted as he slammed the car door shut. "You and your partner come with us!! The rest of you spread out and surround the place I don’t want anyone to leave this building!!!!" With that spoken all sprung into action.

The cold wind whipped through Rita’s hair as she, followed by her captain and the other two officers, raced up the stairs to the large double door entrance of the station. Upon entering Rita lead the four through the building to the hallway that lead to the studio.

"There are two ways to get in Cap." Rita whispered . "The door at the end of the hall, and another door that enters into the sound booth."

"O.K. Harkens, you and your partner go through the booth, but wait for my signal, got it." The two officers nodded and crept off to get in position.

As Rita and Harry made their way down the hall voices could be heard from inside the studio.

"How could you do that!! How could you just shoot him!!" Richards voice cracked with outrage.

Rita’s pulse quickened as an intense panic began to surge through her veins.... was Chris shot!? Both she and the Captain sped up their pace until they reached the door.

Inside Chris struggled to get to his feet. When he had jumped to get out of the way he had landed on his bad arm, the pain was almost unbearable.

"Your never gonna get away with this." Chris said wincing in pain.

"You sound like a bad movie, ya know that." Destiny said, sarcasm reeking in every word.

"Just let us go!" Richard begged. No sooner had he spoken the words Rita and Lipshitz burst through the door.

"HOLD IT!!!" "DON’T MOVE!!" They both shouted.

Destiny was taken off guard but still had time to push Chris out of the way and get behind Richard.

"GET BACK!!" She shouted as she pointed the barrel of her gun at his temple. "DO IT NOW, OR HE DIES!!!"

Rita and the Captain didn’t move. "Give it up lady!!!" Harry warned.

"SHUT UP!! You got three seconds to back out of that door, or I’ll put a bullet in his head."

"No deal!!" Rita said shaking her head.

"ONE.....TWO...." She pulled the hammer back on her gun. The look she had in her eyes, the look of sheer insanity let Rita know she was for real.

"O.K, O.K, we’re going." She said as she began to back up. By this time Chris had managed to get to his feet once again. He began to back slowly out of the room with them.

"NO!! YOU STAY!" Destiny shouted as she pointed the gun at Chris. Chris turned and his eyes locked with Rita’s. He could see the absolute terror that laid just below the surface. "It’s alright." He stated calmly, "Go."

Rita watched him very carefully, and then she saw it, the unspoken signal that they had used so many times before. It was only a slight flicker in his eyes but Rita picked up on it immediately. She shook her head no. Chris was hurt, it was way too risky.

"GET OUT NOW OR HE DIES!!!" The insane woman repeated as she turned the gun towards Rita. Chris realized this as the perfect opportunity, one they probably wouldn’t get again. Glancing at his partner once more he saw her give the Ok.

"NOW SAMMY!!" Chris yelled as in one swift movement he dove towards Richard, snatching him from Destiny’s clutches. The second she realized what was happening she turned her gun towards them. Rita fired once, and as the deafening blast filled the room, it was all over.

===========================================================================

"Don’t worry, you’re gonna be Ok." Rita said as she ran along side the gurney and pulling a wounded Steven towards the Ambulance. Steven managed a weak smile though the pain.

"Ya know what," He said wincing. "this has got to be the most exciting thing I’ve ever done." Rita smiled at him as she helped the paramedics lift him into the ambulance.

"Take good care of this one guys." She told them as she helped slam the heavy doors shut. As she turned she was just in time to see Destiny’s body being brought out of the building. She took a deep breath and forced herself to look away. She was not going to let that woman cause her a second more of grief. As she began to walk in the opposite direction. She spotted her partner and Richard near the other, parked, ambulance.

"I’m Ok, REALLY!!" Chris shouted as the paramedic persisted in her attempts to examine his shoulder. Finally he pulled away, and stood up. "I’ll be fine I don’t need to go to the hospital." Chris said as he began to rebutton his shirt. The woman at last gave up her efforts and asked Richard if he needed any thing. Rita approached them just as Richard declined the offer.

"How’s the shoulder?" She asked quietly as he placed a hand on his back.

"Its Ok." Chris said smiling at her.

"How’s Steven?" Richard asked in concern. Rita turned her attention to Richard but never lost contact with her partner.

"He’s gonna be fine. The shots were clean and looked like they passed right through. There shouldn’t be too much to worry about."

"That’s a relief." Richard sighed. "I can’t believe this is finally over."

"Yeah I just wish some of the results could have been different." Rita sighed as she tightened her grip on Chris.

"I can’t thank you guys enough." Richard said the emotion clearly evident in his voice.

"There’s no need to--" Chris began but Richard cut him off.

"Yes there is. It’s because of you two that I can stop having to look over my shoulder every minute of the day. It’s because of you that I can finally let Kate rest in peace. That means the world to me."

The sincerity of his words tugged at both Chris’ and Rita’s heart strings. "If you ever need anything else Richard--" She began.

"I know." He whispered as he held up her hand to silence her. "But I think I’m gonna be Ok now." With that he turned and began to walk away. As Chris watched Richard’s retreating figure, he couldn’t keep himself from pulling Rita closer.

"Let’s get outta here Sam."

"I’ll drive." She whispered softly into his chest as she hugged him back.

===========================================================================

"I’m gonna go grab a shower." Rita said as she weary entered Chris’ loft ahead of him.

"Alright." Chris said absently as he shut and locked the door behind him. "I’ll try and make some coffee."

"Better make the instant stuff Sam!!" She called from up stairs.

"Very funny!!" He called back in a mockingly hurt tone.

"Feel better?" Chris asked once he saw Rita descending the staircase fifteen minutes later. She was dressed in one of his white button down shirts, and from what Chris could tell, not much else. This, in his eyes, was a vast improvement from the simple t-shirt and jeans she had been wearing earlier.

"A little." She answered as she plopped down on the sofa. "Where’s the coffee?"

"I..uhh...kinda gunked up the machine again." Chris said with a pathetic look on his face. Rita just rolled her eyes. She had been trying to teach him how to make coffee for years, it was pretty obvious to her now that if he hadn’t learned it yet he was a lost cause.

"So..." Rita began again once she got comfortable. "Do you think Richard’s really gonna be alright?" she stretched her feet of into Chris’ lap and he automatically began to rub them.

"Well, I think it might take a little while, but he’s a good guy. I think he’ll be Ok."

Rita nodded in silent agreement, and then took a deep breath before asking her next fate full question. "Are we gonna be Ok?"

When Chris was silent Rita was scared she knew his answer. It was too much for them to handle. Balancing their partnership at work with being best friends was easy enough, but when they threw in this new, more intimate relationship, all that they had before fell apart. Thinking this put Rita on the verge of tears.

"I want us to be Ok." Chris stated quietly, breaking the tension filled silence.

This threw Rita completely off guard. "You do?" She asked in a confused tone.

Chris moved closer to her so there were only inches between them. How could he make her understand? How could he help her see how he really felt. There just didn’t seem to be the words. He took her hands in his own and stared into her eyes as he spoke. "Rita...I need us to be Ok."

The look in his eyes was so intense Rita was taken aback, she had never seen him like this. "Chris--" she began in a concerned tone.

"No, Sam listen," Chris said sternly as he placed a finger over her lips to silence her. "Over at the station earlier, I had a lot of time to think, and I think I’ve got this all figured out."

"Oh really?" Rita threw him a questioning look.

"Yeah! See, I think we jumped into this so fast we really didn’t have a chance to think. We just hopped in the sack without even considering what kind of affect it would have on everything else."

"So you’re saying you think we should slow things down?" Rita was trying he best to figure out where he was going with this. Chris paused and thought for a second before coming to a quick conclusion.

"No," He answered shaking his head "At this point Sam, I think slowing down is definitely a bad idea."

Rita couldn’t resist his charm, he always had a way of lighting difficult situations. She leaned a little closer and rewarded his efforts with a kiss. Chris immediately pulled her closer and deepened their embrace, letting his mouth convey his disapproval of her suggestion. He let his hands sink into her hair and slowly run down her back before he let her go.

"So," Rita began, she had to take a deep breath before she could continue. "since you’ve gotten to the root of the problem, I’m assuming that you also have a solution."

"I did..." Chris whispered, his voice growing heavier and more intense with each word. "But I think you made me forget it." Before Rita even had a chance to respond, Chris pulled her closer and once again captured her mouth with his own. This kiss was deeper and even more needful that before. And when it was over, minutes later it left them both breathless and desperately wanting more.

"Wait a second Sam." Rita said as she gently pushed Chris away.

"What is it?" Chris breathed heavily as his hands unconsciously moved for the buttons of her shirt. By this point he really had forgotten their conversation.

"Chris!" Rita said a little more sternly as she stopped his hands.

"Oh yeah!!!" Chris said as he slowly returned to reality. "Ya see Sammy!" this is exactly what I’m talking about." He declared overdramaticly as he turned and leaned back on the sofa. "We just can’t keep our hands off each other!!"

"And you’re saying this is a bad thing?" Rita couldn’t keep the grin from spreading across her lips.

"No! This is a good thing Sam....A really good thing." He paused for a moment and thought before he turned sideways to face her once again. "I just don’t want it to be the only thing."

"Well neither do I Chris." Rita said quietly. They both were silent for a moment and the uncomfortable tension that was present earlier once again filled the room. Chris was the first to break the silence.

"We have been partners for how long Sam?" He stated in a determined voice.

"What?"

"Just stay with me on this."

"More than four years."

"And best friends for about the same amount of time. Right?"

"Right."

"We know just about every thing there is to know about each other right?"

"Every thing." She agreed with him.

"So what changes all that now that we finally told each other how we really feel." The frustration in Chris’ voice was obvious and also in his mannerism, as he sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Well..." Rita began as she used this opportunity to get closer to him. She moved closer and positioned her self so that she was facing him and her legs were on either side of his lap. Chris let out and exaggerated groan as she moved around on his lap, attempting to get comfortable.

"Do you know what you’re doing Sammy?" Chris groaned hoarsely as he tilted his head back and attempted to maintain a little control. Finally he had to take hold of her hips and force her to be still. "God Rita, you’re making me crazy." The look of pure love and desire that was evident in his eyes was reflected into her own, but Rita forced her self to stick to the matter at hand.

"Chris the way I see it is, our problem is communication."

"Why do you say that." Chris said dropping his gaze to stare at her lips.

"It’s like you said, we’ve been partners and best friends for a long time, and well this just makes things different." Chris looked back into her eyes as she spoke. "So what are you getting at Sammy."

"I just think we should keep our personal and professional lives separate.....agreed?" Chris thought for a minute and then nodded his head.

"Agreed." he said after a moment. "But Ya know, it’s gonna take some getting used to Sam." he warned as he began placing teasingly soft kisses on her neck.

"I know, we’re just gonna have to work on it." She couldn’t keep her voice from sounding kind of shaky. The sensations he was sending through her body with each hot wet kiss were almost more than she could withstand.

"Well, what do ya say we start ‘working’ on it right now?" He suggested as his hands began to find their way under her shirt. His hands froze for a moment on her back as he realized that there was, in fact, nothing else under there. Chris closed his eyes as he tried to contain the fire that was beginning to burn out of control in side of him. He had never wanted any one this way before. Every movement she made on top of him was pushing him closer and closer to the edge. He pulled her closer as his mouth desperately sought out hers.

His kiss was like nothing Rita had ever experienced the pure want and need that she felt for him was almost frightening. She couldn’t keep the trembles from vibrating throughout her whole body as his hands continued to travel across every inch of her. It took every shred of self control she could muster but she was somehow able to break away from him, be it only about an inch or two.

"I need to know some thing first Chris." She whispered breathlessly. She tried to stay calm as Chris brought her hips down against his.

"Anything." Chris pleaded, the desperate hunger he was feeling for her was near unbearable.

"I need to know that no matter what happens that I’m not gonna lose you."

"Rita...." Chris breathed her name as he stared into her eyes, now he was finally able to under stand. The reason she had thought their being together was a mistake, the look in her eyes at the hospital, the reason for their fight earlier that day. Every one she had ever cared about had left her and now she believe if she cared too much about him, he would do the same. How could he make her see that he needed her just as much.

"I am never gonna leave you Rita." He spoke as if he was swearing on his very soul "I love you more than life."

His had their intended effect. Rita pulled him closer closing the inches between them. "You are my life Chris." She whispered as their lips met. Their kiss became a silent vow of complete devotion and an unspoken promise of a love that would last eternally.

===========================================================================

And there you have it!! Well you know what ta do!! Send us your comments, good or bad and if your lucky we might give you a little insight on our next fan-fic. WHO LOVES YA BABY!!!!