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The Witness

Episode 16 written by Nikki
Original air date: February 2, 2002

Disclaimer: The characters in the following fan fiction do not belong to me. They belong to CBS and Viacom and other powers that be. I am only using them for the purpose ofwriting this story. No money is being made from this writing it is for entertainment purposes only. And now on with the show...

Thunder boomed and lightning lit up the night sky over the water behind the beach house. The wind was picking up, but it hadn't quite started to rain yet. Steve Sloan was standing on the deck listening to the pounding of the surf. He inhaled deeply. Amanda interrupted his thoughts suddenly,

"Man are we ever in for it tonight!"

"Hmmm??" Steve asked softly.

"The storm, it feels like it will be a bad one!"

"Yeah, I just hope that AJ gets home before it starts!"

"She'll be fine she's got Bobby with her and if for some reason they couldn't get home she'd call you!"

"Yeah you're right" he said glumly

"Come on though your dad sent me out here to get you because he's got dessert ready"

She placed a hand around his waist and led him into the house where Mark and Jesse had laid out a warm apple pie. They all sat around the dining table and Mark dished out slices.

AJ Sloan was sleeping soundly in her bed at LAFD fire house number 55. She worked as a paramedic and volunteer fire woman. She had been on call that night. She hated working the night shift, but she loved her job. Suddenly she was awoken by Bobby's hand shaking her shoulder gently.

"Come on partner were catching the next call" he said affectionately

"I'm up!" she said sleepily. She quickly got out of bed and grabbed her uniform from her locker and began to change from her plaid pyjama bottoms and one of Steve's old LAPD t shirts. She pulled her curly brown hair back into a tight braid and began to brush her teeth. She returned ten minutes later completely dressed. Bobby smiled and handed her a cup of coffee.

"Oh bless you!" she said smiling. She took a big sip of her coffee and suddenly her beeper went off, as did Bobby's.

"Well we can grab a coffee on the road after this call" Bobby said with a sigh.

"Sure, where's the bus?" asked AJ.

"Out back!"

"Let's go!" she said heading for the door.

As they approached the door they could see through the window they could see that the rain had started. They looked at each other and sighed. AJ quickly slipped her jacked on and walked outside. Bobby fished in his pocket for his keys and then headed out as well. He quickly opened the door of the ambulance and opened the door on the passenger side for his partner. When they were in the ambulance Bobby started the engine and the radio buzzed.

"525 come in"

"Central 525 responding!" said AJ professionally

"Yeah we've got a shooting Hollywood Boulevard and Malibu Road in abandoned cardboard factory. Police on scene. Multiple victims"

"525 responding ETA 10 minutes!" she said replacing the horn of the radio. Bobby quickly drove to the sight. They arrived on scene just over ten minutes later. It was a dirty old building. There were two victims from what AJ could see, one of them was covered in a blanket already. AJ slipped out of the ambulance and grabbed her first aid bag and headed inside the abandoned cardboard factory to treat any other victims. She found a young man in his early thirties lying with his head against an old machine of some sort. She felt for a pulse and there wasn't one. She quickly listened for a heart beat. She didn't hear anything so she quickly covered him with a blanket and stood up.

"This one is dead" she said to her partner as he came up behind her. Just then someone started yelling for a medic. AJ and Bobby sprinted to the police officer.

"What's up?" asked Bobby quickly as he approached a makeshift cardboard fort that could almost double as a home .

"She is alive?" asked AJ as she nelt down to closer examine the little girl. "Man, she can't be more than 5 or 6 years old" AJ said.

"She is alive, but she won't let anyone get close enough to see if she is hurt. She won't respond to us or come out from behind those boxes!" said the young blond haired officer. "She is the only one who could have seen anything that maybe able to help us get the person who did this" AJ had an idea and quickly performed a test on the little red haired girl.

"She isn't able to respond to you because she is deaf"

"Are you kidding me?" asked the officer.

"No I'm not I just tested her!"

"Well then, we'll get an interpreter to the station once we get her out of here we'll take her there for questioning"

"First thing you don't need to get her an interpreter I can speak to her. Secondly she is going to the hospital. She is in shock these were probably her parents that were killed here! I'll have my husband meet me there and he can question her!"

"That's great ma' m, thanks!."

"No problem, but can I please have a couple of minutes alone with her?" Both Bobby and the young officer stepped away. AJ sat down on the ground in front of the little girl. She quickly made a couple of hand gestures to let the girl know that the men were gone. Bobby watched his partner work. Within five minutes AJ was on her feet. The little girl was in her arms with her little arms wrapped tight around her neck. Bobby approached her slowly, but stopped when AJ raised her hand.

"Partner what's the plan?"

"We've got to get her to the hospital! She's got a pretty bad bump on her head and she is in shock. She is afraid of men so I'll see if Amanda can examine her. Can you help me get into the bus she won't let go of my neck. "

"Sure thing Partner" he said as he helped his partner into the back of the ambulance. ."So does our little guest have name AJ?" asked Bobby as he put the key into the ignition.

"From what she told me her name is Abigail ! Bobby when you call central asked them to page Steve and Amanda and have them meet us at Community General."

"No problem AJ." AJ tried desperately to calm the little girl while Bobby quickly drove to the hospital. She covered the little girls tiny body with a blanket. He pulled up to the emergency entrance about fifteen minutes later and got out. He ran around the back and opened the doors so his partner could step out. He lent his arm to his partner for support. They walked through the large double doors and were greeted by Amanda, Steve, Jesse, Mark and a couple of the uniformed officers from the crime scene.

"What room Amanda?" asked AJ not breaking her stride.

"Exam 2" AJ quickly walked to that room and Amanda and Steve followed close behind. Bobby stayed behind to explain to mark and Jesse what happened.

AJ sat up on the table with the little girl still clinging to her. Amanda quickly got ready and she and AJ tried to coax the little girl onto the table so she could be examine and treated. After a few calming hand gestures and a spare teddy bear AJ managed to get the girl to turn and face Amanda, but she still wouldn't release her grip on AJ. AJ quickly introduced Amanda as her friend and she quickly went to work. Steve stayed off to the side and watched his wife comforting the little girl in her arms. Amanda quickly and gently examined the little girl. When she was finished her exam Amanda gave her a lollypop. That was incentive enough for her to finally let go of her grip on AJ. AJ slipped off the exam table and made some signs to assure her that she wasn't going anywhere. Steve slowly stepped forward. The girl began to sign franticly. AJ quickly signed an introduction and told her that Steve was her husband and she trusted him so it was okay for her to trust him as well. Steve slowly extended his hand forward and in the softest voice he could said hello. AJ stood behind him and signed what he said. She shyly shook his hand.

"Hi what is your name?" asked Steve to the little girl. AJ signed what he asked.

She signed her response and AJ vocalised what she wanted to say. "My name is Abigail!'"

"Hi there Abigail, that is a very pretty name!" Steve said. Abigail glanced to AJ for an explanation. She quickly gave it. Abigail smiled

"Thank you" she signed to Steve. AJ explained. She quickly signed another message. AJ translated. "You are a nice police man how come you don't wear a hat like the other guys do?" Steve laughed.

"I don't wear a hat like the other guys because I am different type of police officer than the other guys are. I'm a detective!" She again looked to AJ for an explanation.

Abigail quickly asked what a detective does. AJ explained in the kindest terms she could think of.

"Abigail, a detective is a special police officer that find lots of information about why bad things happen so that they can stop them!" Abigail signed that she understood.

"Abigail, can I ask you a few questions?" asked Steve calmly. She nodded. "Let's start with an easy one, how old are you?"

"I'm six"

"Six is a fun age, do you know where you live?"

"Outside!"

"You don't have a house?"

"Nope, I live with my brother and sister outside"

"Where are your mommy and daddy?" The little girl looked down at her toes and didn't respond. "Abigail, do you have a mommy and daddy?" She shook her head no. Steve sighed and stepped back in silence for a moment. Amanda brushed a tear from her eye. AJ signed to Abigail that she was a good girl and they were very proud of her. She didn't respond but cuddled the teddy bear closer. AJ turned to face her husband and friend. Abigail began signing frantically and began to cry. AJ quickly turned her attention to the little girl.

"AJ what's she saying?" asked Steve.

"She wants to know where her brother and sister are?" she said with a sad tone in her voice. She calmed the girl and then turned back to her husband and friend. "Judging from the scene her brother and sister were killed. How are we going to explain that to her?"

"Well we shouldn't tell her until we have a positive ID on the bodies that are on there way in. Tonight she is going to stay here for observation because that bump on her head is pretty serious and she's been through a lot tonight!" said Amanda.

Just then Abigail slid off the table and ran for the door. AJ, Amanda and Steve all ran after her. AJ quickly caught up with her. She wrapped her arms around her small frame and dropped to her knees. Steve and Amanda caught up, but held back when they saw AJ holding the girl. AJ gently rocked her back and forth and let the little girl cry. Mark, Jesse and Bobby all saw them standing in the hallway and joined them.

"What is going on here?" asked Mark.

"Abigail was on the exam table and just took off AJ is trying to figure out what spooked her." said Steve softly. They all kept watch, suddenly little Abigail wrapped her arms around AJ and she stood up. She headed back to the group. "What happened AJ?"

"Abigail, can read lips!" she said turning her attention to Amanda she read that you wanted to keep her here in this hospital and she doesn't want to stay!" She looked to Mark, I hope it is alright that I said that she could spend the night at our place. She doesn't trust anyone except me!"

"Of course it is okay. I can keep an eye on her."

AJ turned to Amanda "Is she okay to leave with me!"

Amanda nodded "she is in good hands" she said softly stroking little Abigail's red hair. "Take her home and give her a hot meal, she'll love Mark's apple pie for dessert."

"Mmm sounds yummy huh" said Bobby looking into the little girls big blue eyes. "But for now I see that our shift is over and I heading home to finish packing." He said as everyone headed for the doors.

"Are you going on a trip Bobby?" asked Mark quizzically.

"Yeah my first vacation in I don't know how long."

"Yeah 14 days absolutely free! I can't wait to sleep in!" said AJ cheerfully.

"Where are you headed Bobby?" asked Jesse.

"I'm taking my boat up the coast where I end up,? I don't know yet!" Everyone laughed. AJ gently put Abigail down and hugged her partner.

"Have a safe trip and come back in one piece!"

"Yes mom!" he said with a smirk. AJ punched him. "Take good care of my partner Sloan!" he said shaking the hand of his partners husband.

"No problem Bobby," said Steve proudly. AJ picked Abigail back up again. Bobby said goodbye to Amanda, Jesse, Mark and then to the little girl in his partner's arms. Jesse then said his goodbyes as did Amanda and everyone went there separate ways. AJ got into the back of Mark's car, little Abigail was still holding tight to her neck. Steve got into the front passenger side and Mark into the driver's side.

"Mark can you drop us at the fire house? I have to pick up my stuff and my car. I can drive Abigail back to the beach house.

"That's no problem!" he said as he drove out of the hospital parking lot. Ten minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of the fire house. Steve stepped out and pulled his seat forward. He helped AJ out of the car and gave her a kiss and a hug. AJ then gave a sign to Abigail to come out. She jumped into her new friend's arms.

"See you in a little while baby'" he said giving her a kiss before he got into the car again. He turned t``o face her again, "are you sure you two will be okay alone?"

"Bye guys!" she said with a smile as she turned and headed into the fire house.

Once inside AJ gently placed the little girl on an empty bed. She introduced her to a couple of her colleagues.

"Abigail, I have to get my stuff from my locker and then we can go to the beach okay!" she signed to the little girl. She nodded and continued to play with the teddy bear that she took from the hospital. AJ smiled and began to unload her locker. She quickly slung her bag over her shoulder and came back to Abigail. "Are you ready to go?" AJ signed to the young girl.

"Yeah I can't wait to see the beach!" signed the little girl happily.

"Well then let's get going!" she signed to the girl. She jumped off the bed into AJ' s arms. They walked together out of the fire house and into the parking lot. AJ fished with her free hand into her pocket for her car keys. Suddenly, she heard in the distance a car engine. She turned her head just in time to see the window roll down and the metal glint of a gun. Without thinking AJ used her body to shield the little girl and dove behind some parked cars. The gunman opened fire before AJ could hit the ground she took a bullet in the back. Her adrenaline was running so high that she didn't even feel it. She held the little girl close and protectively. Fire fighters who were on duty quickly came outside to see what was going on. One of AJ' s good friends came over to check on them.

"AJ, you alright?" asked the young brunette fire fighter with a thick Irish accent. She gently pulled the little girl away from her and examined her. AJ looked up to face her friend.

"She's okay!" said AJ frantically. "Can you call Steve please Joey?"

"No prob, AJ are you okay though?" he inquired again.

"Yeah I'm okay, just call Steve please!"

"I will but I want you both inside first, we don't know if they'll come back!" Joey helped AJ to her feet. Abigail never let go of AJ' s neck. Joey led them into the firehouse. Once inside Joey noticed the wound on AJ' s back. "AJ I don't want to alarm you, but you got hit!"

"What! Where!?"

"Your back, sit down and I'll check how bad!" AJ sat down in a chair in the kitchenette of the fire house. Her friend quickly went to work. He gently lifted her shirt. While AJ was being examined she signed to the little girl that she was okay and tried desperately to calm her down. Joey quickly got a first aid kit and bandaged his friends wound. Abigail sat on the chair across from AJ. Suddenly Steve and Mark both walked into the living quarters of the fire house.

"AJ!" called Steve in alarm.

"In the kitchen!' she called with a flinch of pain. Within seconds he was standing in front of her.

"AJ were you hit?" he asked nervously

She stood and hugged him. She was suddenly hit with the realization of what had just happened and began to cry.

"What happened?" he finally asked her. She wiped her eyes, as she sat back down to finish getting treated.

"We were on our way home. I had Abigail in my arms and I was looking in my pocket for my car keys. I heard the car engine, I turned my head just in time to see the window roll down and the metal part of the gun. I dove for cover, but I guess I wasn't fast enough she said softly." Steve kissed her head.

"I'm just glad you're okay! Did you get a look at the car?"

"Late model dark sedan, black or navy, tinted windows, loud engine, no plates from what I could see!" Steve stepped back in shock "Hey I'm a cop's wife what did you expect?" Everyone laughed. "So Joe, Mark am I gonna make it?" asked AJ light heartedly.

"Yeah Sweetie, it's just a flesh wound it didn't penetrate very deeply!" replied Mark.

"It'll hurt like hell in the mornin' though!" said her friend affectionately. She slapped him. He laughed and placed the last piece of tape over the bandage of his friend's wound. "Finished and it is a master piece if I do say so me self!"

"Great so we can go home now?" She asked looking to her husband and father in law for confirmation.

"Yeah, but you both stay close to me though and I am gonna have Abigail stay at the beach house so that I can keep you two together and safe!" said Steve in his most professional police voice. AJ quickly smiled and signed to Abigail that they were going home again, but this time Steve was going to protect them. She silently agreed. She again jumped into AJ' s arms. She turned to her friend and thanked him and they walked out together with Mark and Steve. Steve opened the doors to Mark's car and let the two girls in.

"Steve can you grab my bag from the ground by the car where I was hiding?" He quickly sprinted over and grabbed her sports bag off the ground. He then slipped into the driver's seat of Mark's car and drove to the beach house.

Steve helped his wife out of the car. Abigail had fallen asleep in the back. Steve reached in and gently picked up the sleeping girl. He carried her gently into the house. Mark and AJ followed close behind. Steve lay her gently on a chair in the living room and cover her with the blanket off the back of the couch. Mark and AJ headed to the kitchen. Steve quickly joined them in the kitchen. AJ threw herself into her husbands arms. He wrapped his arms around her and she flinched in pain. Steve changed his position and then held her close. "Man AJ when I think about what might have happened to you..... I have never been so scared in my life!"

"I know I felt the same way!"

"I want you both to stop talking like that. AJ' s fine, Abigail is fine and that's that. AJ are you hungry?"

"No not really I ate a the fire house earlier! I just want to change out of this uniform and chill out! I'm tired! Will you guys warm up the TV for me?"

"Yeah come on Dad let's try and find something! What do you want to drink!" he asked turning to his wife.

"Whatever you both are having is fine with me!" She said as she headed downstairs to the apartment that she shared with her husband. She quickly began to pull her belt out of her uniform pants. She quickly pulled out a pair of her plaid pyjama pants and one of Steve's old sweaters that was about 5 sizes to big for her. She quickly slid the her uniform pants off and slung them over a chair in their bedroom. She caught a chill and quickly pulled the track pants on. She then began unbutton her uniform top. She slowly pulled it off. It stuck to her back because of the dried blood. She closed her eyes and pulled it off in one shot. When it was off she slipped her bra off and then the sweater over her head. She pulled her slippers out from under her bed and slipped them on over her feet. She slung the rest of her uniform over the chair and then headed back upstairs. Steve and Mark were in the living room. She came in and curled up on the couch next to Steve. She quickly pulled the elastic out of her hair. She quickly undid her braid and ran her fingers through it. Steve smiled at her and passed her a cup of tea when she was finished. She smiled and gladly accepted it. She took a big sip of her tea and placed it down on the coffee table, she turned and looked at her husband. Even though they had only been married a short time he knew that she was thinking. He raised his arm and she cuddled up close to him. He wrapped his arm around her and began to play with her curly brown hair while she contently watched television. Shortly there after she fell asleep. Mark smiled at them. He was thrilled beyond words that his son had found as much happiness with AJ as he had once had with his wife. He loved the way his face lit up when she walked into a room. He loved the way that she could comfort him with a touch or a smile. His thoughts suddenly drifted back in time for a moment. He was thinking back to a Christmas when Steve was about 14 years old. He had broken his leg and was so depressed that he couldn't go skiing with his football team. When his leg finally did heal, Mark had booked an entire week off and flew Steve and his entire team out to Aspen for a ski vacation. Mark grinned. Steve suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"What's so funny Dad?"

"Hmmm.......oh nothing, I was just thinking about that time I took you and your football team to Aspen!"

"Oh man, that was so much fun. I don't think I slept a wink that entire week!"

"Neither did I son," he smiled at AJ sleeping on his son's chest. "You know son, I am so happy that you guys found each other. I have never seen you happier Steve!"

"I am too Dad, I don't know how I made it so long without her"

"She really is a wonderful lady son!

"Yeah, that she is! God when I saw her tonight, getting bandaged up by that fire fighter I almost lost it!" he said wrapping a curl from her hair threw his fingers nervously.

"I know son, but she is okay and that's what important. The other important thing is that she saved that little girl's life." He said glancing over to the chair. "I am really wondering what she knows that would warrant her being the target of a hit man!"

"Yeah I'm gonna have AJ come to the precinct with her tomorrow to look at some mug shots. Maybe she'll recognize someone and we can get a better idea of what happened!"

"That sounds like a great idea son, Amanda should have the autopsy results tomorrow afternoon. That may help as well, but for now, she's got the right idea, I'm beat. I'm gonna head upstairs to bed. Goodnight son!" he said with a smile.

"Goodnight Dad, See ya in the morning!" he said as he watched his father disappear into the darken hallway. Steve shifted his weight and AJ opened her eyes. "Sorry hon, my foot was falling asleep."

"It's okay!" she said sleepily.

"Come on honey, let's go to bed!"

"Okay, but what about Abigail?" she asked glancing at the little girl sleeping soundly on the chair by the couch. "We can't leave her here, in case she wakes up I want her to know that I'm close. She's in a strange place!"

"I understand Sweetheart. We can move the couch in the living room into the bedroom and she can sleep on it, That way if she wakes up you'll hear her and she'll see you!" AJ smiled and stood up. She extended her hand to help her husband to his feet. He smiled and took it. She hoisted him to his feet and he gently picked up the sleeping girl. He carried her down stairs and lay her gently in their bed. AJ stood in the door frame of their bedroom and watched her husband being so gentle with the little girl. He turned to retrieve the couch from the living room when he saw her staring at him. "What?"

"Nothing!" she said with a mischevious smile!

"Can you help with this?" he said blushing.

"Yeah I can, we're just going to push it through?"

"I think that would be the best." he said as he pulled out a corner of the couch and directed it to the bedroom door. He scooted around to her side and they pushed the couch through the door and against the far wall. Steve gently picked up Abigail and lay her gently on the couch. AJ covered her with the blanket. She stopped and stared at the sleeping girl for a long moment. Her concentration was broken when Steve gently touched her shoulder. "Come on Sweetie, let's go to bed!"

"Yeah!" she sniffed.

"Hey honey, what's wrong?" he asked as he got into bed and pulled her close.

"She is so little and she saw the only family that she has every know get shot to death in front of her eyes. That's so much for someone her age!" Steve held her close and kissed her head.

"I know honey, that's one of the reasons I became a cop, to put people that do things like this away for a long time!" AJ leaned in closer and kissed his cheek.

"What's gonna happen to her when you get the guys who did this?" she asked innocently even though in the back of her mind she knew the answer.

"I really don't know honey, for now she is gonna stay with us so I can keep you guys safe. When I can't be here there will be another officer here. I want to get on this case as quick as possible, I don't like the idea that there's someone out there trying to get you two! Do you think you could talk to her again in the morning! Maybe get her o the station to look at some mugs shots if she remembers anything about the shooters?"

"Of course!" she said giving him a kiss on the lips. He smiled at her and leaned over to shut the lamp out. He pulled the blanket back over them and pulled AJ close.

"Now let's get some sleep!" he said softly.

"Good plan!" she said as she cuddled closer to him. He held her tight, being extra careful of her wound. They both fell asleep soon after.

They both slept soundly for a long while. AJ was suddenly awaken with a start by Abigail. She was grunting loudly and tossing and turning. AJ slipped out from under the covers. AJ quickly ran to the troubled girls side. She gently lay a hand on her shoulder she awoke with a start. Suddenly Steve turned on the light. The little girls eyes were huge with fear.

"Abigail, what's wrong?" AJ signed frantically.

"I had a bad dream," she signed back as she started to cry. AJ sat down on the couch and the pulled the little girl onto her lap. She held her close and comforted her until she stopped crying.

"What's wrong AJ?" asked Steve getting out of bed and joining them on the couch.

"She had a nightmare!" She responded, not taking her eyes off the little girl.

"About the shooting?"

"What was your dream about Abigail?" signed AJ to the frightened little girl. The little girl began to sign frantically. "I saw the man that shot my sister, he was a big man, really scary!"

"Do you remember what colour hair he had?" asked Steve softly. AJ translated.

"Black, really gross!" AJ said for her.

"Do you remember what he was wearing?" asked Steve again. AJ signed what her husband had asked. She shook her head no. "Ummm did you see the car that he was driving?" again AJ signed to the little girl. She signed back a response very quickly.

"Yeah it was black, it had black windows too!" AJ looked at her husband with a worried expression. "The same car that shot at us last night?" she said taking in a deep breath. Steve pulled the two girls close and held them. Abigail started dozing off again so AJ gently lay her back on the couch and covered her up again. Steve was heading back to bed, but AJ stopped dead and sat down in the chair next to the bed. She trained her eyes on the little girl.

"Aren't you coming back to bed honey?" he asked softly peering at her from under the covers.

"No, I can't sleep. I think I'm gonna go upstairs and make some warm milk."

"AJ are you okay?" he asked with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I'm just worried about her!" she said softly. "I'll be right back honey!" she said as she headed for the door. Steve lay his head down on his pillow and left the light on, in anticipation of his wife's return.

"What do you mean you haven't got the girl yet? I don't like to have this hanging over me! You assured me that you would get rid of the girl! She knows enough to bury this organization!"

"I know boss, she is staying with an EMT down by the beach, her husband is a cop!"

"He's a what?" asked the giant balding man.

"He's a cop, but the girl is deaf. She won't talk!"

"Well you had better make sure! That shipment of heroine is coming in by boat in two nights and I don't want the cops all over this operation because of some deaf kid!!!" he said angrily. "Deal with this problem fast and permanently, if you don't, I'll deal with you myself!"

"I understand boss and we're on it!" said the greasy Italian guy.

"Than what are you still doing here?" asked the large balding man. The Italian and his counter parts quickly ran out of the warehouse. They got into there cars and headed off to the beach house. The balding man threw his vodka glass across the room in a fit of rage. It hit the far wall of the warehouse and it shattered into thousands of tiny pieces. "No one steals from me, ever!" he mumbled under his breath.

AJ slipped back into bed with Steve shortly after she had left. She sat next to her husband and watched him sleep. She sipped at her warm milk and listen contently to her husband and the little girl breathing. She felt safe. She leaned over and kissed Steve on his forehead. She slipped the light off and continued to keep a silent vigil over her husband and the little girl who she became so attached to. She closed her eyes. Suddenly she heard a loud crash. She sat straight up and strained to listen.

"What's wrong?" asked Steve sleepily.

"Steve there's someone in the house!" Steve perked up

"Are you sure?" he said cautiously drawing his off duty 38 special from the drawer of the night stand beside him. There was another crash before she could answer. They looked at each other.

"I'm positive!" she said suddenly.

"I'm going to check it out , call the police and block the door when I leave. Do not open it for anyone unless you are positive it is me or my dad. Okay,?" AJ was going to protest, but thought against it when she glanced at the little girl sleeping on the couch.

"Yeah, but, promise me you'll be careful?" she said giving him a passionate kiss.

"I'm always careful," he said with a smile. He put the gun in the back of his boxers. He turned back to his wife. "Block this door behind and don't open it until you hear from me again!" She nodded. "I love you AJ" he said gently touching her cheek pushing a few stray hairs back behind her ear.

"I love you too!" she said softly as he disappeared into the dark. AJ quickly closed the bedroom door behind him and grit her teeth in a desperate attempt to gather strength. She pushed the couch in front of the door. She gently woke Abigail. She quickly explained what was going on and then told her to get in the bed quickly. She did as she was asked. AJ quickly climbed into the bed with her. They both sat completely rigid and silent. AJ had the cordless phone from the night stand in her hand. She quickly dialled 911 and explained what was going on. "This is AJ Sloan. Someone is breaking into my house. My husband needs backup right away. 3038 Beach Front Road. Please hurry!" She whispered and then hung up the phone. She kept it is her hand and pulled little Abigail closer. She strained to listen for some other noise that would tell her that Steve and Mark were okay. Abigail waited silent and patiently for an explanation. Suddenly AJ heard 4 gun shots. She jumped after each one. Abigail quickly signed to her asking for an explanation. AJ quickly signed what she knew. The little girl turned her body and gave AJ a hug. "What was that for?" she signed with confusion.

"You are scared and when I'm scared I like to have a hug too!"

"Thank you!" she signed with tears forming in her eyes.

Suddenly there was a loud thumping on the door of the bedroom door. AJ pulled Abigail close. Suddenly AJ heard Steve's voice. She scrambled off the bed and moved the couch out of the way. Steve opened the door with Mark standing behind him. She jumped into his arms.

"What happened Steve? I heard shots!" He came into the bedroom and sat AJ back down on the bed. Abigail crawled across the bed and sat next to her. Mark came into the room as well.

"They shot at me and I returned fire! Those were the shots that you heard!"

"No one got hit, they took off out the back and down the beach!" replied Mark in anticipation of his daughter in law's next question. AJ stood and hugged Steve again.

"Honey you're shaking!"

"Yeah I'm scared to death this is the second time tonight that someone has tried to kill me and Abigail."

"I know honey, I promise I'm gonna get these guys no matter what it takes! Things will be okay I promise!"

"AJ I was wondering if you may be able to talk to Abigail and find out why this is happening?"

"Sure Mark I can try!" AJ said as she wiped away her tears. She sat back down on the bed across from the little girl. "Abigail I have to ask you some questions about what happened yesterday night okay?" AJ signed to the little girl.

Abigail nodded. "Do you know why someone would want to hurt your sister and brother?" Abigail thought for a moment and shook her head no. "Are you sure honey, were they maybe doing something! That they weren't supposed to be?"

Abigail thought again. "They were just trying to get money so we could buy some food" she signed to her friend. Steve looked to his wife for a translation.

"She just told me that she doesn't know who would want to her brother and sister, they were just trying to make some money for food!" said AJ turning her attention back to the little girl infront of her. "How were they making there money Abigail? Do you know?" she signed to the little girl.

"They were selling stuff!" she signed in response.

"Stuff?" asked AJ curiously.

"Yeah this man came by every day and gave my brother a box with bags of white and black stuff in it! I don't know what the stuff was but Ryan my brother said it was important and would bring lots a money!"

"Drugs!" AJ said aloud. Steve and Mark looked at each other and then too AJ for a further explanation.

"What about drugs?" asked Steve with a growing sense of fear.

"Her brother was dealing drugs probably for the mob. She told me that some guy came and dropped of a box full of bags that had white and black stuff in them!"

"My bet would be that the brother was skimming money off the top!" said Mark softly. Abigail tapped AJ' s shoulder. She turned her attention back to the little girl.

"My brother said that we would have all the money that we would need. After three days we were gonna go on a trip!" she signed to her friend.

AJ turned to her husband and father in law. Something big is goin' down in 3 days!"

"Can you ask her if she can recognize the guy who delivered the drugs to her brother if we show her some photos!" said Steve softly.

AJ turned her attention back to Abigail. "If we show you some pictures do you think you would know the man who delivered the box of stuff to your brother?" signed AJ.

Abigail didn't hesitate for a moment and shook her head yes. Steve, Mark and AJ all let out the breaths they were holding in.

"But now what is the next step?" asked AJ curiously. Suddenly the door bell rang. "That must be the police!"

"Dad stay here with them please and I'll go get them!"

"Sure!" he sat down on the bed next to AJ. Steve smiled and left the room. AJ turned to her father in law.

"Mark I'm so scared!" AJ confessed. Mark put his arms around her and gave her a fatherly hug.

"I know you're scared Sweetie, but I know that Steve is going to make sure that you and Abby are safe." AJ began to cry on her father in law's shoulder. Abigail crawled over and gave her new friend a hug too. Mark laughed. "What was that for?" he asked when they broke from each other.

"Abby likes to give hugs when she sees that people are scared!" AJ said wiping a tear away.

"Well that's very nice of her! She is very much like you AJ!" AJ blushed as she signed what he said. Abigail smiled. Just then Steve came back into the bedroom He had a look of relief on his face.

"AJ, Abigail, Dad this is officer Michael Linden," he said softly, "Mike this is my father Doctor Mark Sloan, my wife AJ and Abigail the witness."

"Hello there!" he said tipping his hat to them. "I some good news and some bad news!"

"Good news, please," said AJ reaching for her husband.

"Well the good news is, we caught up with the four perps at the other end of the beach. The had cars waiting for them. We managed to catch one of them and he is now on his way down town!" AJ gasped.

"What's the bad news?" asked Mark still holding onto AJ and the little girl.

"The bad news is, the other three got away!"

"So what happens now Steve?" asked AJ for a second time.

"Well he is going down to the station to be booked and I'm going down for the interrigation.

"I'm going with you!" she said quickly.

"No you're not you are gonna stay here! I'm leaving some black and whites here to keep watch on you guys, but I want you to get some rest and I'll call you if we get anything!"

"Steve no!" AJ protested.

"AJ I need you here to take care of Abby, you are the only one that can communicate with her and besides three of those guys are still out there. I can't risk anything happening to you two!" he said in a calming voice, while pulling her up onto her feet. "My dad will stay here with you and if anything happens no matter what you find the first officer that you can and they'll take care of it okay!" She nodded and he wiped away the tears from her eyes. She sat back down next to Mark and Abigail, while Steve grabbed his jeans and pulled them on. He threw a sweater and then pulled his socks and shoes on. He strapped his holster on and grabbed his shield. "Mike will you excuse me for a minute?"

"Sure! I'll meet you outside!"

"Thanks!" he said as he turned his attention back to the others. "Dad, I'll call you later and let you know if I get anything out of them.! Please stay down here with them. I'd feel better knowing that you are together and down here if they try and comeback!"

"I will son, but be careful please!"

"I will Dad! AJ I promise I'll call you and let you know what comes out of the interrigation. Try and get some rest honey please." AJ nodded, her eyes welling with tears again. She stood and hugged her husband. "Hey honey, it's gonna be okay. Hey!" he said taking her face into his hands. "I live you AJ and nothing bad is gonna happen." He felt her shaking. He pulled her in close again and just held her. When she had calmed down. He walked over to Abigail. He nealt down in front of her, gently took her hand. "Take care of AJ for me!" he mouthed to her. She smiled and nodded. He smiled and stood up. He hugged and kissed his wife again.

"I love you Steve be careful!" he smiled.

"I will and I love you too!" he said. He placed a hand on his dad's shoulder and within minutes disappeared into the darkened hallway.

Everyone sat silent for a moment until Mark broke the silence. "Come on you two, you both are exhausted you should try and get some sleep!"

AJ looked up at her father in law. "You're right, all three of us should get some rest, but Mark you can't sleep on the couch, you'll put your back out!"

"Oh don't be silly I'll be fine!" AJ gave him a stern look.

"Mark I insist, take the bed. Abby and I can take the couch." she said patting the spot on the bed where Steve usually slept.

"No You both need the bed I'll take the couch?" he protested.

"Mark please take the bed. Abby and I are going to sleep on the couch."

"Are you sure?" he asked hesitantly.

"I am defiantly!" she said as she and Abby crawled off the bed.

Mark smiled and climbed into the bed. Mark made sure that AJ and Abby were on the couch and then he shut the light out.

"Goodnight Abby," he said softly. She let out a little grunt in response. Mark and AJ chuckled. AJ tickled the little girl to say goodnight. She laughed.

"Goodnight Mark!"

"Good night AJ!" he said in his fatherly tone. Within a few moments they all fell asleep.

Steve walked into the precinct. He dropped his jacket at his desk and headed strait to the interigation room. He opened the door and silently excused the officer in the room. He waited until the officer had cleared the room and closed the door before he went to work.

"Alright why were you in my house tonight?"

"Your house I don't even know who you are, why would I be at your house!" Steve grit his teeth to restrain himself from leaping over the table and beating it out of the suspect.

"Come on cut the crap, I know you were in my house and I wanna know why!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" the suspect maintained.

"Well fine I don't need to know why you were there. You are going away for a long time. Man, 2 counts of murder, 2 counts of attempted murder for the drive by at the firehouse. Let's see what else, breaking and entering and 5 counts of attempted murder for tonight's little stunt! Considering the size of your wrap sheet no jury in the world wouldn't convict you,"

"You don't know what you're talking about cop!"

"Maybe not, but I've got a witness who places you at the scene of the shooting at the cardboard factory and at the drive by shooting at the firehouse." The suspect began to sweat a bit. "I'm gonna let you in on a little secret!" he said leaning in to the suspect. "The way see it is you have one option, because if anything else happens to my wife or that little girl, I'm gonna hold you personally responsible. Seeing as we don't have any other members of your little group you'll fry for something that they pulled on the outside," said Steve softly while he got up and headed for the door. "It's your decision, but we know that something big is going down in three days and your help would not go unnoticed" Steve went to the coffee machine and poured a glass for himself. He waited a few minutes and then returned to his desk. A uniformed officer came up to him.

"Lieutenant Sloan! the suspect is asking to speak with you." Steve smiled and stood up.

"Thanks!" he said as he headed back into the room.

He emerged from the room thirty minutes later and decided he'd call home and check on things. He picked up the phone at his desk and dialled his home number. The line was busy. Steve felt his heart leap into his chest. He stood up and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair in one move and ran out the door. He quickly got into his car and sped home. The house was dark when he approached. He drew his gun and silently opened the front door of his part of the beach house. He slowly walked in and headed to the bedroom. He flicked on the light and let out a sigh of relief when he saw his father asleep in his bed. He holstered his gun and stood at the door watching him. Suddenly Mark squinted and then opened his eyes. He noticed Steve at the door. He yawned and was going to greet his son, but he stopped him. "Shhhhhh" he said pointing to his wife and the little girl.

"Oh!" He smiled. "I thought you were gonna call?" he said still getting his barings.

"I tried, but the line was busy!" they both glanced to the cordless phone in AJ' s hand. Steve carefully and slowly removed it from her hand and shut it off.

"So what happened?" asked Mark sitting up carefully.

"Well the suspect, in exchange for immunity told me that a shipment of heroine is coming in Wednesday! He told me that it was coming by boat around midnight!"

"So Abby was right!"

"Apparently, with what they are shipping the street value alone is over five million!"

"Wow!" said Mark softly.

"Yeah,..." just them Abigail opened her eyes. Steve and Mark both smiled at her. She smiled back.

"Good morning!" said Mark. She waved.

"Do you want to have some breakfast?" asked Steve. She looked at him confused. Mark helped his son by making a gesture as if he were eating. Abigail shook her head in the affirmative.

"Well come on then!" said Mark gesturing for the little girl to follow. He got out of bed and watched as Abigail slowly wiggled her way out from under AJ' s arm. When she was free they both walked together upstairs. Steve smiled and waited until they were out of the room. He nealt don on the floor next to his wife and gently cleared away a few stray strands from her face. He got up and gently rolled the blanket down on the bed. He walked back to his wife. He gently picked her up and carried her to bed. He lay her down and covered her up. She stirred a bit, but never woke up. Steve kissed her head and then headed for the door. He stopped and watched his sleeping wife for a long moment before he turned the light out and headed upstairs to join his father and Abby. AJ woke up suddenly, she realised Mark and Abby weren't there. She quickly got out of bed and ran upstairs nearly tripping over her own feet. She flew into the kitchen and let out a sigh of relief when she saw them. Steve smiled at her.

"Morning Sweetheart, coffee!" he said while passing her a cup. She smiled and took a place at the table. Steve joined her. He gave her a kiss on the lips.

"I thought you were gonna call!" she said as she took a sip of her coffee.

"I tried, but you fell asleep with the phone in your hand and it was of the hook!"

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said softly.

"It's okay honey don't worry about it!" he said while turning his attention to his father and the little girl in the kitchen. "I'd worry about that," he said laughing.

"So Manny was popped by the cops huh?" asked one of the older members of the gang. Everyone knew him as Louie. He was an intimidating grey haired man who looked as though he'd seen his share of fights in his lifetime.

"Yeah, do you think he'll talk?" asked a significantly younger man, with jet black hair and ice blue eyes. Everyone knew him as Vinny.

"Manny's no songbird, but you'd better tell the boss anyway, he'd want to know especially with the shipment coming Wednesday!"

"I ain't gonna tell him Louie, I happen to like breathing!"

"Then maybe you should take care of the boss's little problem once and for all" he said passing the young man a nine millimetre Baretta and a fully loaded clip.

"My sentiments exactly!" he said with a smile as he loaded the clip and aimed the gun to check the sights.

"Consider it an early Christmas present!" The young man smiles and took off.

"That was wonderful, thank you guys!" said AJ wiping her mouth and replacing her napkin. She signed what she meant for Abby's benefit.

"Yeah breakfast was great Dad, .thanks," said Steve clearing the dishes from the table. AJ moved to stand and a white hot pain shot up her back. She closed her eyes and willed it away. Abby noticed something was wrong. She grabbed Mark and Steve's shirts and pointed to AJ. Steve ran to her side.

"AJ, honey what's wrong!" asked Steve quickly assessing his wife.

"My back, where I got hit yesterday, I'm feeling it for the first time!"

"Well let me have a look at your bandage, we should change it anyway!" Steve gently lifted her shirt and Mark examined her. "You're still bleeding quite a bit, let me grab my medical bag!"

Abigail sat down on the floor in front of her and slipped her little hands into her friends. Steve smiled and began stroking her hair. Mark returned and quickly went to work. He treated the wound and then re bandaged it. When he was finished Steve gently pulled her back down and helped her to her feet. She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes for a long moment. Steve held her close and when she was okay he helped her downstairs to their place with Abby in tow. "Let's get you into a bath Abby!" signed AJ. She nodded. "Do you need help?" She shook her head and AJ showed her into the bathroom. She started the bath and showed her where the shampoo, soap, conditioner and clean towels were. She leaned over the side of the tub to test the water with the little girl, when she agreed AJ stood and left the room so she could get ready for her bath. She left the bathroom door cracked so she could still hear if she was needed. She then walked straight into her husbands open arms again. "Honey, we've gotta go shopping! She needs to get some clothes her own size!"

"Mmmm I don't know, it's not safe!" he said stroking her hair.

"Well Steve she needs clothes. She can wear mine but I think she'd be more comfortable in some that fit her properly. We can all go together!"

"Yeah I think it would be nice to get out for a little bit, but only if we can all go together!"

"Great, Can you go ask your dad?"

Sure I'll be right back Honey!" he said giving her a kiss on the head as he left the room. AJ opened the bathroom door to check on the little girl. She looked up and smiled at her friend.

"AJ, can you help me wash my hair?"

"Of course!" she signed back to her. She nelt down on the floor next to the tub and squeezed a bit of shampoo into her hand. She gently began to wash the little girls long red curls. When she was finished washing her hair she began to rinse. When she was finished AJ held a towel ready for her. She got out of the tub and AJ quickly wrapped her up in the navy terry cloth. She and AJ walked out of the bathroom together, Steve was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Dad said okay!"

"Cool," said AJ softly. She sat Abby on the bed next to her husband. "Now what to wear?" She said as she began digging through her drawers. "Got it" she said pulling some stuff out of her drawers, she took the little girl back into the bathroom . They came out a few minutes later. AJ had dressed the little girl in one of her stretchy black skirts used as a makeshift dress, she had also had one of her white blouses on doubling as a jacket. The dress was being held up by a thin light blue belt. She had a massive pile of red curls tied on top of her head by a light blue ribbon.

"Wow, Abby you look great!" AJ translated what her husband had said and Abby blushed.

"Go with Steve upstairs to see Mark, I have to get ready too!" she signed to the little girl. She nodded. AJ helped her husband to his feet and wrapped her arms around him. He held her for a long moment. She looked up to her husband, "Baby I'm gonna grab a shower to clear my head. Take care of Abby while I am gone!"

"Of course!" he said with a smile "Do you want some company?"

"Normally yes, but I am really feeling lousy! I just want to let the water beat down on my face!"

"Do you want me to get Dad?" he asked with concern.

"No, I just want to get into the shower"

"Okay honey," he said reluctantly. "We'll be waiting for you upstairs!" he continued. She smiled and signed to the little girl what was going on. AJ then headed to the shower and Steve and Abby headed upstairs to join Mark.

AJ came out of the bathroom her curly brown hair tied up in a navy blue terry cloth towel. Her body was wrapped in an equally warm white terry cloth robe. She quickly got herself dressed in a pair of black leather pants and a light pink silk blouse that Steve had given her for her last birthday. She pulled her long hair back into a tight pony tail and then pulled her ankle length black boots on. She then went into the closet and pulled out her knee length black leather jacket. She admired herself in the mirror for a moment. She was satisfied and closed the closet door. Her heart jumped into her throat when she felt the cold barrel of a gun in her throat. She was about to scream but in one swooping motion a hand clasped her mouth. She struggled and fought for what seemed like an eternity before everything went black.

Steve came downstairs to check on AJ when she didn't come upstairs. "AJ, Honey?" He called as he headed downstairs to their apartment. He walked into the bedroom and was shocked to find the shower turned off and a wet towel on the floor. AJ was meticulas with picking up her wet towels off the floor and chairs. He headed to the closet. He noticed the blood on the floor. He nelt down and examined the carpet. He felt a draft on his neck and stood up. He noticed the window. He saw a pink piece of fabric caught on one of the jagged shards of glass. Steve's heart jumped into his throat. He choaked back a tear and ran upstairs. Mark could see something was wrong. "What is it son?" he asked softly.

"Dad, they took her! AJ is gone......." he said struggling to hold back his tears.

"What!??" he retorted in alarm.

"I went check on her, there is blood on the floor, the window's broken and there is a piece of pink fabric on the jagged piece of glass on the window sill! I gave her that shirt for her birthday!"

"What about the police officers outside?" Steve drew his gun and without saying a word he headed for the door. Outside he found one of the officers face down on the beach just by the door to his part of the beach house. He recognized him right away. The young officer had been shot in the back twice from what he could see. He was unconcious, but alive. One of Steve's best friends was Mike Linden's partner Jenny Fox. He quickly scanned the beach for her. He couldn't see her so he sprinted up the side of his house to the street. He saw the young woman. Who had allways been so full of life and happiness lyingon the ground. Her upper torso was being supported by the front tire of their patrol car. She had been wounded pretty badly, but she was awake. Steve sprinted to her and nelt by her side.

"Jenny, it's Steve Sloan, Can you look at me?" Her eyes snapped up to meet her friends gaze. "Good girl" He quickly assessed her wounds and took his flannel shirt off and covered one of the wounds with it. Just then Amanda and Jesse pulled up, Mark had invited them to join them at the mall. Steve breathed a sigh of relief. He waved them over and turned his attention back to Jenny. "Jen, what happened?"

"Single perp, side swiped Mike, he went down!" she said struggling through the pain. "Car, late model grey sedan, no plates!"

"Jenny they took AJ, which way did they go?" She averted her gaze and to the right. Just then Amanda and Jesse got there. Jesse slippd into doctor mode and Steve told Amanda about Mike on the beach.

"I'm on it!" she said taking off her heels and running to the beach.

"Jenny you're gonna be alright, Jesse'll take good care of you!" she looked at her friend while Jesse treated her.

"Steve call an ambulance, my cell is in my pocket!"commanded Jesse. He reached over and got his friend's cell phone from his pocket. He quickly dialled 911 and reported what was going on. When he hung up she grabbed her friends hand,

"What is it Jen?"

"I fired a shot Steve......he was hit!" she said beofre she passed out from the pain and loss of blood.

AJ woke up in total darkness. She could feel that she was moving and could here the muffeled rumbling of an engine. She also felt that her hands were tied behind her back and something was in her mouth. She cursed under her breath. She was thankful that her feet were free though. Suddenly she stopped moving. She heard keys jingling and then she heard them slide into a lock above her head. Even though she was blindfolded she felt the warm LA sun on her face. She froze when a giant hand grabbed her chest.

The ambulances arrived quickly and at that point Mark was completely aware of what was going on. He stood by the door to the beach house as his son slowly approached. Without saying a word Mark took him into his arms. Steve hugged him back. Mark knew the pain that Steve was going through seeing fellow officers shot in the line of duty and how deeply he was affected by them so he held him until he was ready and then let go of him, not straying too far though. Shortly after that Mark and Jesse came into the beach house.

"How are they doing?" asked Steve with a fading glimmer of hope in his voice.

"Jenny's lost a lot of blood, he wounds are serious, but she's gonna make it!" replied Jesse

"Mike may not" replied Amanda somberly. Steve flinched at the news and left the room. Mark was about to follow when Jesse stopped him.

"Mark, he's gotta be alone right now, just let him be!"

"You're right Jess, it's just hard to see him hurting like this! But right now we have got a bigger problem!" he said gesturing to Abigail who was blissfully watching television, "how are we gonna explain to her what happened to AJ?"

"AJ told me when I examined her at the hospital that she can read lips, we'd better tell her something!" replied Amanda flatly. Just then the telephone rang. "Saved by the bell!" she muttered to herself. Mark picked it up quickly.

"Doctor Sloan" he said in his usual tone.

"Mark it's me!" came AJ's soft and shaky voice from the other end.

"AJ, honey are you alright?" at the mention of his best friend's wife's name Jesse bolted from the room to get Steve.

"I am fine I have to talk to Steve!"

Steve and Jesse both raced back into the living room. Steve took the phone from his father.

"AJ, baby it's me!"

"Have Jesse and his girlfriend Cheryl bring Abigail to the pier alone. They are to drop her at slot 17 by a boat called the Princess Jasmin and leave. If they're not there in two hours they'll kill me and they'll be watching for a tail on them!" Just then the line went dead.

"AJ..........AJ!" he repeated desperatly. "Damn" he said as he slammed the receiver down and then picked it up again. He quickly dialed the number to his precinct "Yeah Sloan here! I need to get a trace on an incoming call about 5 minutes ago!" he said gruffly,"yeah at my father's place!" He paused a moment and looked up to his father and two best friends. They all knew him well enough to know when he was really scared, he had passed that point and was into bone chilling fear. "It's a cellular, well get a guy in civis over to the last known location we've got a kidnapping on our hands!" he said softly, "Yeah the victim is my wife, keep it discreet we're dealing with the mob!" he said hanging up the phone, more softly.

"How is she Steve?" asked Amanda innocently.

"She sounded okay! She gave me instructions!"

"Instructions for what Steve?" asked Jesse

"Instructions for turning Abby over to the mob!" replied Steve without averting his attention which he had focused on the little girl, he'd become so attached to. Amanda gasped and both Mark and Jesse reached out to catcher. They helped her to the couch.

"What are we gonna do Steve?" asked Jesse, wanting so badly to help.

"You can't give this little girl, a child over to the mob!" cried Amanda.

"I know, but if I don't they'll kill AJ and I believe them!" he said softly.

"Well I think we should first know exactly what the instructions are before we do or plan anything!" said Mark trying to be reasonable even though he was panicking inside. He had grown to love AJ as his own daughter and he was terrified of what could happen to her if the slightest thing went wrong.

"So Steve, what exactly did she say?" asked Amanda.

"She told me that Jesse and his girlfriend Cheryl have to bring Abigail to the pier, slot 17 and leave her there. If they're not there in two hours they'll kill AJ!"

"Girlfriend!? I don't have a girlfriend!" asked Jesse trying to lighten the mood.

"There must not be that many of them....." Steve mumbled to himself.

"What did you say son?" asked Mark quizzically.

Steve was silent for a moment and then blurted out "Good Girl AJ" He picked up the telephone and quickly dialed his partner's number.

"Cheryl!" she answered quickly.

"Yeah Cheryl it's Steve," he said just as fast.

"Hey, what's up, I though you were off today taken care of AJ and that witness?" she said cheerfully. Steve bit his lower lip and bit back a tear.

"I was, but some stuff has come up!" he said softly "AJ discovered a connection to the mob and there has been a kidnapping!"

"Really do we know the victim, have there been any demands?" she asked, quickly slipping in to full police mode.

"The victim is AJ Sloan!" he said softly. He breathed in deep when he reliazed the gravity of what he just said.

"I'll be right there partner, hang in there!" she said about to hang up her phone.

"Cheryl bring someone who can read sign language please!" he asked

"No problem and don't worry, I'll keep this discreet!"

"Thanks Cheryl see you in 20?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah!" she said as she hung up. Steve hung up as well and turned to face eveyone.

"AJ mentioned that should bring his girlfriend Cheryl, my partner, that means that there are that many perps, she knows that Cheryl will be able to spot them and we can take care of them together. I asked for the interpretor incase Cheryl misses anything, if I know AJ she'll know that I'll be there and I know that she'll probably have convinced them to let her be the one to collect Abby from the drop and pretend that she is talking to her but explain where they are!" Everyone just sat back for a moment digesting what they had just heard. Jesse felt as though his best friend was grasping at straws, but on the other hand he couldn't fault him for it either. Steve looked to Jesse, "if you are gonna help me out then please come with me so that I can get you ready!"

Without a moment's hesistation Jesse was on his feet and following Steve out of the room. Mark looked to Amanda, "How are you doing honey?" she asked, getting to her feet and laying a supportive hand over her friend's shoulder.

"I am scared to death, AJ's my daughter, I am hurting so bad for Steve right now. He finally has someone who he can really count on and who he really loves, and I know that she really loves him, and he has her taken away from him. Why? Because she wanted to help a little girl, a defenseless child!" Amanda hugged her friend and choked back her own tears.

Jesse removed his shirt when his friend passed him a bullet proof vest. He began to strap it on when he noticed Steve was crying. Jesse turned to his friend and put both hands on his shoulders. "Steve, buddy don't worry we're gonna get her back in one piece! She'll be back in your arms in no time at all!" Steve smiled and continued to help his friend get ready. When he was finished Steve spun him around and looked him right in the eyes.

"Jesse, listen to me now, you and Cheryl are gonna take Abby to the pier, I and a couple of other officers will be hidden around. You drop her on the dock by slot 17 and turn and leave right away. Please no hero stuff, it's about getting AJ back and not having anything happen to you or AJ or Abby for that matter. The last thing I want is to lose you too!"

"Don't worry Steve we'll get her back I promise!" He said giving his friend a hug.

"I just wish I could be so sure!" They walked together back upstairs to wait for Cheryl.

Cheryl pulled into the driveway of the beach house and quickly ran up to the door. She raised her hand to knock on the door when Steve opened it. She hugged her partner. "Steve this is Stephanie Lawson! She is one of the sign interpretors for the department!" She said as he hurried them inside.

"Thanks for coming so fast Cheryl!" said Steve. He led them into the living room where the others had gathered. "Stephanie Lawson, this is my dad Doctor Mark Sloan, My best friends doctors Amanda Bently and Jesse Travis and this is Abigail our witness. Everyone this is Stephanie Lawson, an interpretor for the department!" he said quickly. Cheryl and Stephanie sat down on the couch while Steve explained what had happened in the past few hours. Cheryl took everything in as her partner spoke with the calmness of a seasoned police detective, but she was screaming inside. Since she had moved to homicide and had been assigned to Steve she had grown extremely close to him and his wife. When Steve had finished he took Cheryl to get her ready Stephanie began to get aquainted with Abigail. Cheryl and Steve came back upstairs and joined everyone. Jesse glanced at his watch.

"Steve it's nearly time to go!" he said softly.

"Okay Cheryl you and Jesse go to the pier in Jesse's car we'll be around, but we're gonna keep far back!" Amanda and Mark stood up and began to put their coats on when Steve stopped them. "Where are you two going!"

"We're going with you and not one word Steve! AJ is my best friend and I am gonna be there for her!" she responded quickly. "We won't be in the way!" Steve knew he was gonna win this argument so he didn't bother trying. Steve left the house first together with Stephanie. Jesse waited for a few moments and then nelt in front of little Abigail.

"It's time to go now!" he said softly.

She jumped off the couch and took Jesse's hand. She and Jesse and Cheryl all walked to the door and out to Jesse's car. Jesse helped her into the back seat and strapped her in. He then got into the driver seat and Cheryl got in next to him. When they closed the doors Cheryl reached around and belted herself in. "Partner are you reading me!"

"Yeah Cheryl I got you are you guys on your way?" came Steve's voice over her ear piece.

"That's affiermative!" she said in response. Jesse started the car and drove in the direction of the pier. They arrived quickly. Cheryl and Jesse both got out of the car and Jesse leaned in the back to help Abigail out of her seat. She climbed out of the car and then stood between them and took both their hands. They walked down an embankment and onto the very large pier. They began to check the slot numbers as they walked. "16 and here it is, what was the name of the boat Jesse?" asked Cheryl.

"Princess Jasmin!" he said softly. They stopped infront of it and looked at it. Jesse could see movment of the boat so they both nelt down and explained to Abigail that they were leaving and she had to stay there and AJ would be right there to get her. She nodded that she understood. Jesse and Cheryl did one final look around and slowly began to walk away. When they were out of distance AJ climbed out of the hull of the ship and bagan to walk over to the girl. Abigail's eyes lit up at the site of her old friend and she began to walk to towards her friend. AJ quickly signed to the girl to stay where she was. AJ stepped off the boat and onto the dock. She walked slowly over to the girl.

"Is Steve near here?" she signed to the little girl. She nodded to her. AJ smiled and signed to her little friend "There are 4 men with guns, one behing me, two are in the parking lot and one is on a boat across from us!" Abigail looked confused. Suddenly her eyes went wide as she saw a man approaching with a gun. She immediatly recognized him as one of the guys that killed her family. She began to cry and scream histerically.

"Did you get all that?" asked Steve to Stephanie who was sitting beside him. They were already parked in a car above the embankment with a full view of slot 17.

"Yeah 4 gunman, one behind her, two hear in the parking lot and one on the boat across the dock. But sir you had better take a look at this it is about to go seriously wrong!"

"What's happening?" he asked looking back into his binocculars.

"Abigail has just spotted one of the shooters!"

Abigail began to back away from AJ. AJ could see this and began to follow her slowly trying to calm her a bit. She turned and began to run away. AJ quickly ran after the girl. She grabbed her and threw herself over the side of the dock and into the water when the first shot went off. Steve and Stephanie, Cheryl and the other officers who Steve had called slipped into action. Steve ran down the side of the embankment nearly tripping over his own feet. The suspects on the boats both began to lean over the side and fire into the water. Steve aimed his gun at the suspects head and told them to freeze. They turned and both fired. Steve dove for cover and was quickly joind by Cheryl and Stephanie. Steve returned fire. He hit one of the suspects square in the head and he went down right away. The other officers had managed to secure the two suspects in the parking lot. The one on the boat continued to fire. Both Steve and Cheryl returned fire.

AJ had resurfaced above water directly below the dock. Abigail was still in her arms. She could hear the gunshots and was praying that Steve was alright. Suddenly someone fell into the water. AJ quickly went back under with Abigail in tow. AJ could see through the mirky water that it was the other suspect. He had been shot. AJ quickly pulled Abigail to the surface and she swam back out into the open. She saw Steve, Cheryl, Jesse, Mark and Amanda hanging over the side looking for her. They all let out a collective sigh of relief when they saw her. "Are you guys okay AJ?" asked Steve.

"We're fine! A little banged up but okay!" she said as she hoisted Abigail up to Steve and Jesse who were now on their bellies extending their hands out to collect the girl. They quickly hoisted her up onto the deck and Mark covered her with a blanket from his car. Steve and Jesse lay back down to grab AJ. She reached up to them she managed to grab Steve's hand when something or some one pulled her down under again.

"AJ!" yelled Steve.

AJ could see under the water what was pulling her under. The suspect that had been shot. AJ fought him. She kicked his face twice. Suddenly she felt the release of the grip on her ankle and quickly swam up to safety. Jesse and Steve reached for her. She had managed to grab Steve's hand. He lifted her up to Jesse's level. He grabbed her and together they hoisted her up to the dock. When she was standing Steve grabbed her and pulled her in to his arms and hugged her. She started to cry. Steve comforted her while Mark wrapped her in a blanket. Suddenly the docks began swarm with police officers. Both AJ and and Abigail began to shiver. Steve felt this and quickly looked to his father. "Dad can you take these two to my truck and make sure that they are okay?" he asked holding his keys out to him.

"Sure son!" he said softly. He smiled at Abigail who had wrapped her arms around AJ's leg.

"AJ baby, go with my dad to the truck, he's gonna make sure that you both are okay! And besides it will get you both out of the wind and you won't be so cold!" She was going to refuse, but her shivers were getting so strong her back was beginning to hurt. "I promise I'll be right there, I just have to give my report to the Captain!" She reluctantly agreed. She picked up Abigail and then Mark put his arm around his daughter in laws waist and led her to his son's truck. He opened the back and AJ gently put Abigail down inside it.

"Abby, Mark is gonna examine you and make sure you didn't get hurt okay!" she signed to the soaking wet little girl. Mark smiled.

"AJ get into the truck you're gonna catch pnemonia!" Mark scolded playfully. Just then Jesse and Amanda came up to the truck. "Can one of you examine AJ?" asked Mark while trying to get Abigails attention away from AJ.

"Sure I can," said Jesse in response. AJ got into the truck. Jesse gently lay her across the back seats and examined her. She flinched when he got near her stomach and rib cage. "AJ what happened down there!"

"Mmmm they wanted to know how much Abigail new about the drug deal coming up and could she finger the guys that shot up the warehouse. When I refused to answer them they kinda punched me around a bit! It's no big deal!"

"Honey it's a very big deal!" came Mark's voice over the seat.

"I couldn't let them harm that little girl anymore! She's already got a ton of stuff to deal with now! Besides had I told them what I knew they'd a shot her on the spot!"

"Well you may have some broken ribs! Definatly a lot of bruising!" said Jesse softly.

"But you're both alive and that is really all that matters right?" said Mark peeking over the seat to his daughter in law. Abigail popped her head up over the side as well and smiled at her friend. "I'm gonna go start the truck so that we can get some heat!"

"AJ I want you to go to Community General!" said Jesse at the conclusion of his exam.

"Jesse I'm fine I just want to go home!" she said gripping her ribs.

"AJ you're not fine, I wanna x ray your rib cage. If I am right I feel 5 broken ribs and we should get them taped up quick!" AJ was going to protest again, but Stve showed up at the truck. AJ tried to sit up, but fell back against the seat gripping her ribs in agony.

"AJ what's wrong?" He asked as Jesse stepped out the way so his friend could be next to his wife.

"Nothing except that I forgot to mention that when I didn't give anything up about Abby, they tried to...................well beat it out of me!"

"WHAT!" asked Steve in alarm.

"It's no big deal! They'd have done a lot worse to Abby with the stuff she knows!" AJ put her arm over her eyes to try and mask the incredible pain now ripping through her body.

"Maybe, but why didn't you tell me baby?"

"Cuz I didn't feel it until Jesse started to examine me!"

"Well we are going to get you to Community General, I'll take your statement there, Jess can you ride with us, just in case?"

"Sure Buddy!"

"Dad can you bring Abigail to the hospital?"

"Sure" he said looking to the little girl. AJ quickly signed to her what was going on and she jumped into Mark's arms. He laughed.

"Amanda can you drive my car back I am going to ride with Steve?" asked Jesse holding his keys out to his friend. She accepted them.

"Sure I'll be right behind you guys!" she said as she headed over to Jesse's car. Steve quickly told Cheryl what had just happened and within minutes they were on their way. They quickly arrived at the Emergency Room Entrance. Jesse barked out an order to a couple of nurses to bring him an gurney. When it arrived Jesse and Steve gently lifted her to a sitting position. She sreamed and dug her fingers into her husband's back while he spoke calmly to her. They gently, but quickly lay her on the gurney and a nurse quickly covered her in a blanket. Steve held her hand while Jesse explained to the nurses what had happened as they pushed her into the E.R. When they reached the X ray room Steve was told that he was not allowed to go in and they all disappeared into the room. Steve began to pace the floor. He suddenly heard his father's voice, he turned around just in time to catch Abigail as she jumped into his arms. A few minutes later Amanda joined them. She hugged Steve, "how's she doing?"

"I don't know, Jesse's still xraying her

"She's gonna be fine, she's had worse than this before! In fact wasn't that how you two met? You brought her in with broken ribs!"

"Yeah it was!" said Steve with a smile "She was at that rock music festival two years ago that got out of hand"

"Yeah she ended up with a 4 broken ribs and a partially fractured jaw, but even that couldn't slow her down any!"

"Yeah that girl has got nine lives, her little body has taken more beatings than most men I know and she has still come out unscathed!" said Amanda with a smile. Just then the nurses opened the door of the x ray room and began to push AJ through. Steve passed Abigail to Amanda and took hold of his wife's hand.

"Hey Sweetheart how are you feeling?" he said softly.

"Like I've been hit by a truck!" she said with a smile. Steve laughed. Abigail looked at her friend. AJ signed to her. "I'm okay Sweetheart, how are you feeling?"

"I'm good.....when can we go home?"

"I'm not sure whenever Dr Jesse says it is okay!" Just then the nurses began to push her away. Steve caught Jesse as he was following behind.

"Jesse when can I take her home?"

"Steve I don't really know that yet, I just her films I gotta still look at them, I am not gonna sit here and guess about that! She is being taken now to a room and I'll be right in there to tell you both what I find!"

"Thanks Jesse" said Steve as he took off behind the stretcher. Abigail wiggled free from Amanda and ran to get Steve.

"Hey Steve!" called Mark behing his son. He stopped and turned to face his father's direction again. He gestured to Steve to keep watch that Abigail was behind him. He stopped and nelt down to pick up the little girl who was running towards him. With one move he picked her up, turned on his heel and disappeared around the corner.

Mark and Amanda turned their attention back to Jesse, they all walked together to one of the viewing rooms. Jesse pulled the films out of the envelop and placed them on the board. Amanda flicked the light on. All three of them gasped.

"One, two, three, four, five and a partial fracture here!" counted Mark out loud.

"Man I am surprised that she could still move at all, this has to be so incredibly painfull!" said Amanda to her friends.

"Well you know AJ she isn't gonna want to stay here. I don't want to be the one to tell her that she has too! Even with pressure tape she is so bruised inside right now if we mover her anymore we could risk serious damage!"

"This is just gonna crush Steve, he just got her back!"

"Well we had better get this over with!" said Amanda as they walked out of the room. They reached the room where AJ was and knocked gently on the door before going in. AJ was laying flat with one hand drapped over her rib cage and the other was attached to an IV. Steve was sitting in the chair next to her, his elbows on the bed and Abigail was sitting in another chair on the other side of the bed. All three of them looked to the three who had just walked in the room. Abigail began to sign something to them, they looked to AJ for a translation.

"Doctor Jesse, when can AJ go home?"

"Hey You, that was my question!" said Steve affectionatly to the little girl, she giggled.

"Well not for tonight for sure probably the end of the week!"

"What?"questioned AJ with shock.

"Well honey the beating that you took has broken 5 of your ribs and partailly fractured a sixth. You are bruised quite seriously on the inside of your chest cavity and in order to avoid anymore damage we think it is best to control your movements for the next little while so that the swelling can go down a bit!" said Mark in Jesse's defense. AJ went quiet for a moment to digest everything that she had just heard. Suddenly her eyes filled with tears and Mark, Amanda, Jesse, Steve and Abigail all excused themselves and Steve moved up to her bed.

"AJ baby what's wrong?" he asked giving her a hug and a kiss on her forehead

"I'm so sorry Steve!"

"Sorry, sorry for what?!" he asked bringing her attention back to his own.

"I'm sorry that all of this happened!"

"Sweetheart don't be sorry, I got you back safe and sound, okay you're are a bit hurt, but you are gonna stay here and get better so that I can take you home. Here you're safe, my dad, Jesse and Amanda are all really close and I am only going to leave your side to go to work and the occasional trip to the bathroom!"

"So you're not mad at me for getting involved with Abigail?"

"Nope Sweetheart infact I am proud of you! You saved that little girl's life and you helped us to stop the mob from moving over 5 million dollars worth of drugs onto the streets where they could have been sold to unsuspecting kids!"

"Yeah, but I put myself and you, Jesse, Abigail and Mark in danger tonight!"

"Baby we're okay, everything worked out for the best. Now stop worrying about that stuff and worry about getting better so we can go home!" She smiled again.

4 Days Later

Jesse came into AJ's room early in the morning. She was still fast asleep, but Steve was wide awake, keeping a protective watch over his wife.

"Mornin' Steve!" he said cheerfully.

"Mornin Jess!" he grumbled back.

"My my aren't you in a lovely mood! Especially since I am releasing your wife today!"

His eyes went wide "Jesse are you kidding me?"

"Nope! She'll still have to be confined to a bed for the next little while, but the swelling inside her chest has gone down enough for her to make the trip home to her own bed! With your dad living upstairs I don't forsee any problems and the prognosis for a full recovery is great!"

"Jesse this is so great, she is gonna be so thrilled!"

"Yeah get a move on that paperwork will ya?" said AJ sleepily. Her voice caught them both by surprise. Steve stood and stretched before sitting at his place on the edge of her bed. She opened her eyes and they both smiled at her.

"Mornin' Sleepyhead!" he said as he leaned in and gave her a kiss.

"Mornin" she said covering her mouth, trying to stifle a yawn.

"I'll go get the forms guys!" said Jesse beaming at his friends.

"Thanks" they both said together. Jesse left the room and Steve kissed his wife properly. Just then Mark, Amanda, Abigail, a woman and her husband from the look of it walked into her room. They both smiled to great the guests.

Amanda ran to her friend and leaned over to give her a hug. "Jesse just gave us the good news" she said with a smile.

"Yeah cool huh? Finally, my own bed, my own pyjamas my own shower! I can't wait!" Everyone laughed.

"AJ let me introduce you to Melissa and Randy Ryan!" said Mark bring the couple forward. Just then AJ's door opened again and Jesse and Bobby walked in.

"Look what I found wandering the hallways!"

"Bobby what are you doing here?" asked AJ holding her arms out to her partner and best friend. He hugged her.

"I heard that you got your self beat up, again! How many times does this make now partner?" she slapped his stomach. "Seriously though, Jesse and Amanda tracked me down just off the coast. They explained what had happened, it just took me a few days to get back here! I know how you can't recover without me!" he said with a smile.

"Oh is that so?" she asked with a hint of playfull sarcasim in her voice.

"It is definitely so" he said with a smile. "Steve also told me that Abby is still here with you two and soon you're gonna have to find a place for her to stay!"

"Yeah" AJ said somberly.

"Well that is where these two come in. I heard Mark introduce them to you, but he didn't tell you that Melissa is my sister and Randy is her husband!" AJ's eyes went wide as she extended her hand out to them. Randy suddenly began to sign to AJ. Bobby signed back. AJ looked at him in shock, "My sister and her husband are both completely deaf! I could sign before I could walk!" he said in response to the question that was on her mind but not spoken out loud yet! "The reason my sister is here is she and Randy have agreed to adopt Abigail. She and Randy have been trying to have a child of their own and can't!" AJ's eyes went wide. "They live in town so you can see Abigail as much as you want to!" Bobby continued, just then then Randy interupted,

"You have taken such good care of her if the adoption gets approved we would like to have you and Steve be Abigail's godparents!" AJ just sat there taking everything in. Suddenly she turned to the little girl,

"What do you think of this idea?" she signed.

"I think it's cool, I talked to Melissa in the hallway! She's got 3 cats!" AJ laughed and turned to her husband.

"Randy and Melissa have just asked us to be Abigail's godparents and Abigail is excited to live there because Melissa and Randy have three cats!" Steve laughed. "So what do you say you want to be Abigail's godparents?"

"It would be my pleasure!" he said smiling at the little girl. AJ signed back to Randy,

"We would love to be Abby's godparents!" They both smiled and AJ turned back to Abigail. "You promise you will visit me whenever you can?" she asked her.

"I promise!" she signed as she gently hugged her friend. I love you AJ!" she spoke outloud. AJ gasped and her eyes filled with tears. Abigail kissed AJ and then left with the Ryans. AJ began to cry. Everyone excused themselves and Steve hopped up on her bedside. He quickly took her into his arms and let her cry it out. When she was finished Steve released her, but didn't stray to far from her.

"Now, let's get you ready to go home!"

"Sounds like a great plan!" she said slowly sitting up and swinging her feet around the edge of her bed. "I'll pack and you go get Jesse and those papers!" she said heading towards the drawers. Steve quickly opened the door of her room and found Jesse at the nurses station. He quickly got the paperwork from him and filled it in. He walked back with Steve to AJ's room . She was packing her bag when they opened the door. Steve quickly took the stuff she was holding from her and placed it into her bag.

"AJ you have to take really easy for the next little while! I want you to say in bed for the next 4 weeks or so and I your husband and your father in law are going to make sure that you do!" AJ frowned.

"Jesse you are gonna ruin all my fun!" she said softly.

"This is for your own good AJ!" he said in his stern doctor voice. She smiled.

"So do you have everything?" asked Steve.

"Umm yeah except for my brush it is on the bathroom counter!" Steve quickly retrieved it and put it in her bag. He zipped it up.

"Your dad and Amanda will meet you at the house!" said Jesse "I'll be by later tonight to check on you!" AJ mocked saluted him and she and her husband linked arms and walked out of the hospital slowly. When they got to Steve's truck he tossed her bag into the back and then carefully helped his wife into the passanger seat. Once she was sitting he leaned over and buckled her seatbelt for her.

"Thankyou baby!" she said kissing his lips. He smiled, quickly closed her door and ran around to his side. He started the truck and quickly drove home.

He pulled into the driveway just as his dad and Amanda were pulling up. Steve quickly parked. He got out and sprinted around to his wife's side. She slowly swung her legs around to him. She stopped for a moment, closed her eyes and gripped her ribs. "Baby are you okay?" he asked putting his hands on her legs and rubbing them gently.

"Yeah it is easier getting in then getting out!" she said with a smile. She extended her arms out to him. She leaned into him and he gently gripped her waist. She slid out of the truck as he gently guided her to the ground. Once standing she gripped her ribs again. Steve held her and tried to comfort her. "Man there's an experience I don't want to have again!" Steve laughed just as Amanda and Mark apporached. Steve gripped his wife's hand and the four of them walked into the house together. Once inside Stve helped his wife to sit down on the couch. Amanda joined her. Mark sat in the chair across from her.

"Drinks Anyone?"

"Mmmm I could go for an ice tea!" said Amanda cheerfully.

"Mmmm me too!" said Mark "I'll give you a hand son!" he said groaning as he rose to his feet.

"Honey?"

"Yeah sounds great baby, thanks!"

"Okay four ice teas coming up!" said Mark as they disappeared into the kitchen. Mark returned a couple minutes later with a tray of four glasses of ice tea. Steve followed close behind carrying a box with a big pink bow on it. He sat it down on the floor next to his wife's feet.

"What's this?" she asked taking a sip of her tea.

"It's a gift with your name on it!"

"Come on girl! Open it! " said Amanda

"Alright!" she said gently pulling the ribbon and releasing the bow. She opened the flaps and gasped. Her eyes grew wide as Steve leaned in to retrieve her prize.

"Here let me help you!" he said gently setting the small tabby kitten in his wife's lap. "Sweetheart, say hello to Abby the Tabby!" She began to pet the kitten's head and she began to purr loudly. "Just a little something from Abigail to say thanks for taking such good care of her, but more important so that you don't forget her!" explained Steve. AJ's eyes welled up with tears. Steve sat down next to her an pulled her close. "I am so glad your home AJ!" he said kissing her head.

"We all are Sweety!" said Mark and Amanda together.

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