Just Another Game of Cops And Robbers

by Jess

Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald closed his laptop and sighed. It was really late, and he needed his sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. 'Man!' he thought, as he laid down next to his sleeping wife. 'Am I really happily married? Is my wife really pregnant? Is my 4 year old daughter really alseep in the next room?'

In many ways it sounded to good to be true. Luis had never imagined how much having a family would change his life. But Sheridan, then the birth of Isabelle had deffinetly changed his life, but in a giid way.

*********

"WHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald's eyes popped open at the sound of his son's cry. It was 3am in Bermuda, and is was the second time tonight he'd been awakend by the infant's scream.

Glancing at Charity, who had gotten up the first time, but was now dead asleep. He smiled at her, then went to his son. He closed the door, and turned on the light. Miguel picked the small baby up.

"Aww, Junior whats the matter?" He asked, tiredly. "Mommy and Daddy need their sleep. And so do you." Miguel said, brushing his finger on the little boy's nose.

"Yes, there, there...It's alright...Daddy's here," he whispered softly to the child, and after a while, his cries subsided. Miguelwalked over to the rocking chair. "Tomorrow, we're going on a trip," the little boy's eyes widend, and Miguel continued his story. "We're going to a far away place called Harmony... On a big plane...And you're gonna get to meet your Uncle Luis, and Aunt Sheridan. They're very anxious to meet you...Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald Jr.

Chapter 2

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way"

"Luis, honey. With all due respect...spare my ears."

Luis turned away from the lights, he was stringing around their house. He grinned at his wife, then at his daughter. "What? I can't be that bad. Isabelle, am I really that bad?"

Isabelle looked up from her place on the floor in the family room, where she sat, entertaining herself with her barbies. She looked at her dad, and just giggled. She drew her attention back to her barbies.

Sheridan, too dropped the subject of her husband's singing. "So when does Miguel's plane get in?"

"He and Charity should be getting here by dinnertime...I think...provided weather cooperations." He focused his attention back on the string of lights for a few moments. He finished stringing them around the window, and turned to face his family. "There. All done." He walked across the room, and embraced his wife, who greeted him with a gentle kiss.

"nice work daddy," the little girl said, as Luis picked her up.

Sheridan sighed. "I love Christmas."

"And I love you," Luis kissed his wife.

*************

The plane ride from Bermuda to Harmony, was a long and somewhat torturous one fro Miguel and Charity. Their son spent most of the trip scrying and fussing. Miguel seemed to have been rejuvinated st the prospect of seeing his brother agian. He could barely sit still.

"Honestly," Charity said, finally quieting the infant. "I don't know which of you is worse."

"AWW, c'mon Charity. YOu can't tell me you're not the tinniest bit excited about seeing luis and his family?"

"Yes, of course I'm excited, but I also have a two month old baby in my arms. Here, Miguel, you take him." She handed Junior to Miguel, who now had no choice but to settle in his seat.

Miguel looked down at the baby and sighed. "I'm so glad we're thinking about moving back there, Charity. It would be so great to be able to raise Junior in Harmony. And a safe one at that."

Charity nodded. "I was so happy to hear that Tabitha had set Hecuba straight."

After a breif silence, Miguel looked at his wife and asked quietly, "Do you miss them?"

Charity looked upi, "if you mean do i miss all my preminitions, and Kay always trying to break us up, and always being worried that someone would kill me, or you. Then no. But if you mean do i miss everyone else, then yes."

"I don't miss them either. But I most deffinetly miss everyone else too." Miguel replied

"I could tell," Charity smiled.

Chapter 3

Sometime late that afternoon, Luis was sitting at his desk, going over paperwork for a case, while Sheridan sat in the family room, reading to Isabelle. It was a week until Christmas, but there was no rest for the H.P.D (Harmony Police Department) A recent string of burglaries in Harmony that had Luis more busy with his work, then his family--which was a bad thing. Luis tried his damndest to never put work before his family, especialy this time of year. But it was becoming extremely difficult.

He looked over the security camera pictures for the millionth time, and rubbed his eyes. "C'mon, c'mon!" he insisted of the pictures. "There has to be something... ANYTHING!" But the pictures offered no clues.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Luis looked up to see Sheridan coming over to him. He held out his arms, Sheridan entered them gladly.

"You shouldn't work so hard," she told him. "You're going to stress yourself out. Miguel and Charity will be here soon."

"I know, I know. I just... don't know why this case bothers me so much." He replied kissing Sheridan's cheek.

"Because you care," She said, "And you want people to have a good Christmas. Without having to worry about they're homes beeing broken into...Thats what you've always been about. You want people to feel safe in their own homes."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." He replied kissing his wife, again. Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Right on time," Sheridan said with a grin. She gave luis a hug. "You go and get the door. I left Isabelle on the couch. I said I'd be right back."

"Alright" Luis opened the door to see his brother, and nestled in Chrity's arms, the tiny baby boy lay sleeping.

"HAPPY HOLLIDAYS!!!!" Miguel exclaimed. He came forward and wrapped his big brother in a huge hug.

"Charity? Little Charity? You look great!" Luis said as he hugged her.

"You too Luis! Where's Sheridan?"

"She was reading with Isabelle, SHERIDAN! Come see who's here!" Luis looked down at the baby boy, now fully awake. "He's adorable! COngratulations."

"THanks bro!" Miguel said as a very pregnant Sheridan came in holding Isabelle's hand.

They sat together and talked about events in the past few years, and how Miguel and Charity were concidering moving back to Harmony.

"Me and Charity would love to raise Junior here, having you guys close by. it would mean so much to us."

Luis grinned, "So does that mean you'll be transfering to HPD?"

"Sure does bro!" MIguel said smiling.

Just then, Luis' pager went off, which triggered a high-pitched wail from Junior.

"Well, I guess that puts an end to our peacefull evening." Luis said, getting to his feet. After he got off the phone, he turned to the others. Junior had quieted, and all eyes were on Luis. "Sorry guys...I gotta go downtown. There has been another burglary."

"Another one?" Miguel asked, knowing nothing of the case.

Luis nodded, "I'll expalin later..." He strode across the room and kissed Sheridan, and Isabelle. "I'll e back as soon as I can." He promised.

"Be careful," she pleaded, eyeing his gun.

"Arn't I always?" He hit himself in the chest to indecate the bullet proof vest. "Don't worry Honey. I'll be fine." With that he was gone.

Chapter 4

"14 robberies in the last 15 days," Luis said said leaning back in his lay-z-boy. "All of them at night, in respectable safe neighborhoods... homes, mini marts... MAN!"

Luis had helped put Isabelle to bed. Then made Sheridan lay down, because she had been on her feet all day, and acording to Luis all pregnant woman need to stay off their feet.After Junior was asleep, Charity had fallen asleep herself. Leaving Luis and Miguel to catch up.

"And you don't have any leads?" Miguel asked.

"Well, we've got a picture." Luis handed Miguel the blury, black and white photo. "From the security cam at the Texico station, over a few blocks."

Miguel studied it, rubbed his eyes, and shook his head. "Man... there's nothing here."

"that's what I'm telling ya. NOthing. People are Not going to have a good Christmas, if they know a crazed psyco maniac is running around out there robbing places at random, and their home could be next." Luis said.

Miguel handed the photo back to Luis. "Anybody dead?" He asked

"One," after a pause, Luis continued, "Found in the back of an alley. Behind a convienient store. It sacred do many people. It scares me too."

"Me three," Miguel said, looking in the room Charity and Junior were sleeping.

"So, will you help me, bro?" Luis asked.

Miguel nodded and shook Luis' hand.

A few days had passed. And nothing happened. Harmony was peaceful agian. Miguel and Charity looked at some houses. Luis and Sheridan had begun to plan for the new baby. Also, Luis and the rest of the HPD worked to find a pattern in the rout of the burglaries. Sheridan and Charity did some Christmas shopping.

One night, Luis was reading to Isabelle. He looked down at her, and noticed she was asleep. Luis moved carefully, do not to wake her up. He turned off the light.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, angel-face?"

"You're gonna catch the men who robbed Anna's house, right?" Isabelle asked.

Luis nodded. "Yes, but don't you worry about that, Belle. Go to sleep."

"But daddy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Anna said they killed a man. Are they gonna hurt you?" She had a terrified look on her face.

Luis was silent for a long time. At long last he crossed the room and sat at the foot of the girl's bed. "I wish I could tell you that I was always going to come home okaay." He said. "But part of my job is to protect you and everyone else in Harmony, no matter what. And sometimes that might even mean that I'll get hurt. But i want you to know that I'll always love you, and will always do my best to be here for you. Your old man is pretty tough, and I plan to be around for a long time, okay?"

"Okay daddy." The little girl smiled and gave her father a big hug. "I love you too."

Luis grinned, and tickled Isabelle. "You get some sleep now."

"Okay."

**************

"what was that all about?" Sheridan asked.

Luis slid into bed and wrapped his arms around her. "What?"

"You and Isabelle. It took you a while to get her to bed."

"Oh..." FOr a moment Luis wondered if he should tell her.

"Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald! What did the two of you talk about? It sounded pretty serious and I want to know."

Luis sighed. "She asked about the robberies. She wanted to know if the 'bad men' were gonna gurt me."

"You told her no, right?"

"Well, what do you expact me to say, that I'm invincible? No, I didn't tell her no, I told her the truth."

"which is?"

"Which is... That I don't know. THat I love her, and i'm going to try to always be here for her. BUt that sometimes things happen...sometimes I might get hurt." Sheridan didn't reply. SHe turned her head away, trying to hide the tears. THe truth was that she didn't want to believe what Luis just said. She didn't wanto to accept that he might get hurt, that someday, he might never come home. She didn't want to think-- had never thought, until now-- that he could die.

Chapter 5

"An all-night steakout?! are you crazy?!?!"

"No, Luis, I'm very much sane." Sam Bennett showed no amusment in his face. "now listen, there are five days until Christmas Eve, and I want those criminals behind bars before my family goes to sleep that night. I know you want the same. ANd this is how we're going to do it. You and every officer in this building are on call 24 hours a day from this piont forward, and I dont want to hear anymore whinning. Tonight you take Miguel and go sit outside that mini mart on 12th street. Thats your neighborhood. You know the area. It's the ideal neighborhood for these guys. Don't go in uniform, don't take your squad car, and don't make yourselve obvious. Drive around a little, but not much-- just enough to keep an eye on the houses in the neighborhood. Do we understand each other, Luis?"

"Yes sir," Luis said and turned to go home. This was NOT going to make Sheridan happy, or Charity. It didnt make him happy either, that he had to patrol his own neighborhood-- but he'd do it for his family's safety. Sam was right, his naighborhood was the ideal target, and Luis was surprised it hadn't been hit yet. And CHristmas was quickly aproaching, he wanted to make sure everyone ad a good, and safe Christmas. Sighing, he headed home to drop the bomb shell.

****************

Things at home went better then Luis has expacted. Charity took things very well-- she was used to Miguel doing things like this. Being a cop in Bermuda deffinetly gave Miguel the oportunity to see alot more action. And when Charity didn't get upset, neither did Sheridan...not really. At least there were no tears.

"Daddy?"

The little voice got Luis' attention. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Be careful."

Luis got down to Isabelle's level so he could look he in the eys. FOr a moment he just studied the little girls face, Something he hadn't done sine they brought Isabelle home fromthe hospital. In that innocent face, Luis saw for the first time, his own. Isabelle had the very same dark hair and dark brown eyes, the same smile. And at that moment to same expression of worry. She was looking at Luis the same way he'd looked at his father. The last day he'd seen his father, the day he didnt come home.

without thinking, Luis pulled Isabelle into a tight hug. "I love you belle." He said, trying very hard not to cry.

"Don't cry daddy,"

Luis sniffled and grinned at the little girl. Listen Belle, there's something I want you to understand, okay? THis is very important. If-- if tonight, or any night, I go out and never come home... YOu take care of your mom, and the baby, okay? You make sure she gets along alright, make sure you show her you love her. An d clean your room, even if you don't want to . You're a smart girl Belle, You, your mom, and that baby mean the world to me. DO you understand?"

The little girl nodded seriously. "But daddy?"

"Hmmm?"

"Please come home safe."

Luis smiled. HE hugged Sheridan, and kissed her. He went out the door. He and Miguel had a long night ahead of them.

Chapter 6

"All quiet on the western front," Miguel joked, as he and Luis drove around the neighborhood.

Luis didnt reply. IN his mind, he was pleading... please, let me find them... please, don't let anybody get hurt. And so caught up in his silent prayers, that he missed a dark figure, trying to break into a house.

"Luis, LOOK!"

Startled, Luis turned his head in the direction Miguel was pointing. Nodding, he pulled the car over across the street. "Alright Miguel. Lets go." luis drew his gun, and got out of the car just as the figure dissapered into the house.

the anaymous burglar left the door slightly ajar, making it very easy for Luis to see inside. HE sent Miguel around back.

Thats him alright, Luis thought to himself. but... something didnt seem right. The security cam pictures showed more than one person. SOmething was deffinetly wrong this time.

Ducking around the corner of the house, Luis lifted his radio to his mouth. "ALright Miguel . Move in."

"Rodger that. see ya inside."

Luis put his radio back on his belt. Then slowky he opened the door, being carefull it didnt squeak when he opened it.IN the family room-- Luis could see a figure moving about, picking up things and, sticking them into a bag, Luis pulled his gun, and unlatched the safety, just as he was ready to make his move on the man, he felt something press between his shoulder blades, a cold, eerie voice whispered in his ear. "Dont move."

'Shit," luis cursed in his mind. 'Shit, shit, shit...'

"Hey Jimmy! We've got company!"

the man in the family room turned to face them just as LUis and his captor entered the room. "Well, well, well." he smirked "sergent Lopez-Fitzgerald. You know I've been wondering when you'd catch up to us. You never quite figured out that eventually we were gonna end up in your back yard, did ya, Luis?"

Luis didnt reply.

"Where's your brother, Lopez, huh? I bet you think he's gonna come in and rescue." He turned and called over his shoulder, "DANIELS! you can come in!" a moment late, a third man came in with ihis gun pressed against Miguel's back. "your wife and daughter are sure gonna miss you." Luis' eyes widend, 'if he touches them, so help me god!' Luis thought. Thats right, i've been watching you. I know all about you and your family. You didnt know that, did you Luis? You've got a daughter that worships you, the most beautiful wife, oh yeah, that poor little babby is gonna grow up with out a father, maybe i'll take your place! I even knoe your father met his fate inthe same way you're about to. he was a stupid man who made a stupid mistake."

The man wa trying to get to Luis, and it worked. His father had been no stupid man. "Go to hell." Luis growled

JImmy looked mildy amused. "i'm sure I will," he replied "But i'm taking you with me, you can be sure of that."

Luis know there was no way out. if he didnt do something, he and Miguel were gonna die in that house. Taking a moment to gather his courage, Luis know what he had to do. Quickly , barley stopping to think, he turned and kicked his captor in the gut, sending him to the floor, but knocking Luis' gun out of his hands.

Luis picked it up, and aimed it at the one named Jimmy. Miguelcoppied Luis' move, but before he could reclaim his gun, jimmy fired a single shot. silence reigned for a moment. Had someone been shot?

Falling to his knees. Luis cried out "MIGUEL, CALL FOR BACK UP!!!" 'Sheridan is gonna have kittens when she hear's about this.' he thought.

"you're CRAZY!" Miguel replied. "I'm not leaving you! Sheridan would kill me!"

"Dammit MIguel! Dont try and pull that hero shit! Get the hell out of here and get some help!" Luis yelled

MIguel refused. "Your not my comanding officer Luis, You're my brother and i'm not leaving you!"

"Awww..." Daniels sais sarcastacly. "Thats so sweet"

"I'm touched," Jimmy agreed. He turned his attention to Luis. "I gotta tell ya, Lopez, It sure has been a pleasure. I've been wondering what'd it be like to have a confrontation like this with you for a long time, but nothing i ever dreamed could be as sweet as watching you slowly bleed to death." he eyed Luis' wound. "Miguel you leave now, and i wont kill you, if you stay, consider your self dead.

"Go Miguel," Luis choked. "leave me, think of Charity, think of Junior."

Miguel shook his head. "you think of Sheridan and Belle."

If Miguel wont leave, Luis thought, then I have to get up off this floor and fight my way out. I'mnot going to die her! not tonight! With a roar of pain, Luis pulled himself of the floor onto his feet, "Then, lets both go!" he said. He delivered a roundhouse kick to Jimmy's head. And headed for the fromt door,While Miguel headed out the back. Luis' wound was slowing him down, he didnt make it before a second shot was fired, then a third... and that was all he remembered before he fell and slipped unconcious.

When Luis didnt meet him in the front yard, Miguel know something was wrong. ANd that when he it. A shot, then another. He fled for the car and picked up the radio. "car 16 to base" he called breathlessly.

"Base to care 16. whats wrong?"

Requesting back up at 317 12th street. SHots have been fired in the house. and there is and officer down!"

"Rodger that car 16! sending back up!"

Chapter 7

Luis was barely concious of the fact that there were three criminals leering over him. The pain in his leg had become worse, and he could feel a second wound in his shoulder blade. It hurt like hell-- Luis had never been shot before, and for a brief moment he really thought he was going to die.

When Luis opened his eyes again, he did truly believe that he was dead. Bright lights met his eyes and he could hear voices but he couldnt tell what they were saying. He tried to speak, but found it imposible, he tried to sit up, but he was held down by a firm hand. ANd then the voice of an angel spoke to him. "Dont move , honey. YOu're going to be just fine. dont try to get up."

Only it wasnt an angel at all. That was SHeridan's voice he heard. "i;m alive," he mumbled. "I'm alive."

Sheidan's face appeared--blurry, but it was her's. "Yes." she replied "You're alive, thank god." she kissed him gently.

"Miguel..?" he questioned

"He's fine. He's with Charity and the kids. "you gave us a scare sweetheart."

Honey, I'm sorry i scared you." Luis tried to sit up but was firmly held down.

"You just rest," his wife told him

"The men...then men...?"

"Are behinf bars. when back up arrived, you were unconcious, but they were outnumbered. Harmony is safe noe, Luis."

That being said, Luis' mind was put to rest, he clsed his eyes and fell fast asleep again.

3 months later

Miguel and Charity moved into a nearby house. Miguel had joined the HPD. But felt an emptyness when he looked at the empty desk next to him at work. everyday he looked at the pictures of Sherdan and Belle on his desk and hoped that he would be back soo.

But tomorrow, Luis was coming back to work. he had spent the last 3 months recovering. He liked getting to spend time with Sheidan and Belle. Although Luis wouldnt be at work for long... he and Sheridan got news... Sheridan was going to have twins!! HE plans on being home for the rest of the pregnancy.

4 months later

THE TWINS ARE HERE!!!!! Two baby boys Jacob Ethan Lopez-fitzgerald Bejermin Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald

Isabelle loves having her brothers around. she likes to help mommy and daddy take care of them!

Luis and Sheridan couldnt be happier with their family!

The End