Teammates (Colby/OFC-Callie, PG-13)
Originally posted 01.26.08 to savecolby...
Title: Teammates
Characters/Pairings: David, Colby/OFC-Callie
Rating: PG-13 (language; mild adult situations)
Word Count: 3,633
Summary: She'd been an enemy...a lover...and now there was a job to do...
Spoilers: 3.24 - The Janus List and 4.01 - Trust Metric
Notes/Warnings: Part 3/3 in the Enemies/Lovers/Teammates trilogy. This piece also contains references to an earlier series, Broken/Fixed.
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, regrettably - it's not mine.
For what had to be the thousandth time in three days, he looked absently at the four dingy walls surrounding him hoping that maybe this time, something would catch his eye. Nothing did.
Solitary confinement. He knew he’d been through worse. Yes…much worse, he thought even as he arched his neck back so that his head rested against the wall behind him where he sat on the floor with his arms stretched out over his knees. He’d spent weeks holed up in a tiny bunker with twelve other soldiers as the enemy pummeled the surrounding area with artillery fire - wondering every day if that would be his last. He’d been held a prisoner of war in Afghanistan - threatened with torture for the secrets that he knew…secrets he still knew, he winced closing his eyes against the memory.
Then there had been that period of time he’d spent in the federal prison system. Five long weeks he’d been a prisoner - pretending to be a man who betrayed the same country he’d nearly died fighting for. It had all been part of a top secret assignment given to him - and him alone - by the Department of Justice in an attempt to uncover a ring of spies and traitors within the department. He remembered that as the worst time in his life…because Callie had left him. She’d not been privy to his secret assignment despite his wanting to tell her everything from the first moment he laid eyes on her. She deserved to know what she was getting in to with him; truthfully, he shouldn’t have even been involved with her knowing the reason he was in LA to begin with - but from the first day he’d met her, she’d been a drug in his veins he’d not been able to live without. The day he’d been arrested…he swallowed hard against the memory…she’d given back his ring. She cried…and it had been his partner, Agent David Sinclair, who held her. There had never been an enemy soldier, or a government facility that could have inflicted a greater torture to him than that. He had to live with that lasting vision every day he was away from her…praying that when he was free, when his assignment was over…she would listen to him and take him back. He had no such luck. Even when she knew the truth about his assignment, she felt so betrayed…and so angry with him that she had not wanted to see him or speak to him. He tried to call. She didn’t answer. David tried to talk to her. She didn’t listen. He wanted to talk to her when he went to the house they shared to pick up his clothes. He remembered even now the coldness that had been in her eyes then - eyes that flamed with passion for him and him alone before everything went wrong…and it sent a chill through him.
But then, something happened and she came back to him. She’d never been able to tell him exactly what had changed - ever an occupational hazard, he thought with a smirk. They were both agents…damned good agents…and he knew that some government secrets were meant to be kept. The truth was he didn’t really care what had melted the ice around her…he only cared that she came back to him. She listened to him. She’d let him explain himself and she’d given him back her heart. They had picked up the pieces and he’d asked her to marry him again…and marry him she did. October nineteenth, he whispered out loud as his thumb ran along the bottom of the wedding ring gracing his left hand.
His memories from his time with Callie - both good and bad - were the only thing keeping him sane as once again he looked around at the four walls surrounding him. He knew it was just his imagination - it had to be - but he swore the room was getting smaller the longer he sat there. Focus, he told himself, focus on her. He closed his eyes…and there she was - smiling at him, laughing as he swung her around on the beach behind the house where they lived. The full moon was shining brightly…candles and torches illuminated the sand. Every where around them - friends and family were talking and laughing, enjoying each other’s company…but he heard nothing but the sound of Callie’s voice as she whispered to him that she loved him. She wore a gown of white, her hair was free - tumbling down her back and they were dancing…their first dance as husband and wife. Despite his circumstances, he smiled and sighed contentedly as he felt his entire body relax with the memory.
She’d not been able to come see him after that early morning when he’d taken her against the wall, giving her a promise of what was to come when this was all over. She said she would try to come back to see him…that they would figure this out. Together they would figure out a way to get him out of here. It would all be over soon. Her words gave him hope - and with every hour that passed, he grew more anxious to see her. But she’d not come back. He let a day pass before he started to worry that they had discovered who she really was…that the powerful and commanding Aidan, was really FBI agent Callie Walker working to bring down one of the largest drug cartels in all of Los Angeles. He tried to fend off his worry…but locked in a small room with only four dirty walls for company, the feat wasn’t an easy one as his mind once more filled with dread that something had happened to her.
No, he scolded himself trying again to focus on his memory of the day he married the most beautiful woman in existence. He knew that if something had happened…if she had been found out - he would have been dead by now. And since no one came…only to give him water, he rested and waited…
When his eyes shot open next, he immediately looked to his watch. He’d somehow managed to fall asleep against the wall where he sat and had been lost in a dream for over an hour. But something woke him. What was happening? He thought as his heart began to race and he worked furiously to focus his attention on everything around him.
And then he heard it. There was a noise outside the door. It wasn’t the familiar jingling of keys warning him that someone was coming to bring him water - giving him ample time to stash his watch and replace the cuffs about his wrists and ankles. Somehow he knew it wasn’t necessary for him to keep up the façade of captivity. There was no real warning shooting through his system as he continued to listen and he stood to his feet.
There were voices…two voices - and he couldn’t be sure…knowing his mind had been playing tricks on him, but he swore that he recognized the sounds. Before he had time to consider it further, however, there was another loud noise giving Colby barely enough time to back away from the door before it was kicked in by the heavy boot of David Sinclair. The next thing he knew, Callie was rushing into the room while David stood point at the door.
He had just been dreaming about her…thinking about her…wishing he could see her; and now, here she was coming towards him - Kevlar vest secured about her torso, a sidearm holstered to each thigh, her hair in a pony tail, and that familiar expectant and determined look in her eyes that she always wore when she was in charge. This…this was his Cal…and she was sexier to him than Aidan, the wanton sex goddess, could have ever been.
She’d not even had words out of her mouth before Colby had her in his arms even if for just a moment as he placed a welcome and appreciative kiss on her lips. He could see in her eyes that they had to move fast. A plan had come together. She and David had slipped into the building to free him, and then the three of them would make the move to take down the criminals - but not before he had a taste of her.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come back to tell you, Colby,” Callie breathed as soon as his lips pulled away from hers. Even as she spoke, she was moving to slip the extra vest she carried over his head - knowing without words that he understood what their next action would be.
Her hands moving over him as they slid the vest into place, the heat of the moment…the loneliness of being without her for eight weeks…the taste of her still on his lips after just kissing her - all worked against him in that moment. He simply couldn’t stop himself as he shifted his weight and moved to press her more fully against the wall behind her before his lips crashed down over hers. She gave an appreciative sigh, opening herself to him as her hands continued to move over him to tighten the vest even as he kissed her long and deep. He felt the heavy Velcro securing the vest tightly around him, and he kissed her harder…then her hands moved around his waist, slipping about him until he felt the gun being tucked safely into his back and felt another gun in its holster being snapped onto his belt. He was protected and armed…and she had managed all this while he kissed her.
David risked a glance away from the door and over his shoulder to find out the progress of the mission at hand - marveling over the silence coming from every direction. When he saw that Colby had Callie pinned, bracing himself with his arms against the wall on either side of her, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
“Now, man? You want to do this now?” David called back even as he smirked and turned his attention back to his post at the door.
“If not now, when?” Colby asked breathlessly, momentarily pulling away to answer before diving into his kiss with Callie once again.
Callie let him enjoy this moment for just that…a moment - taking her own pleasure from his kiss, before she eased her lips away from him and used her weight to push them away from the wall. He smiled at her with a wink as he stepped back and looked to her for his orders, setting the communicator into his ear…knowing the time to be lovers had passed. Now, there was a job to do.
“We’ve got five teams around the city…each taking down a section of the cartel,” she began, and Colby couldn’t help but feel excitement coursing through him as he heard the command and resolve lacing her voice. Callie seemed to sense this and afforded him a knowing smirk before she spoke again. “Don has point on one team; DEA and ATF have the other three. We’ve got the warehouse. SWAT is around the perimeter waiting for our call. Surveillance says there are thirty men inside and…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the distinct sound of gun fire filled the air. Someone had discovered the operation. The gunshots ringing in their ears immediately snapped Callie, David, and Colby into the moment. With game faces on, they strategically filed out of the cell even as a voice boomed through the com.
“Fire bird, what’s your twenty, over?” bellowed the SWAT team leader - anxious for retaliation.
“Blue bird, hostage extracted. Moving through lower quadrant…sector B - en route to upper warehouse. Stand ready for entrance and cover fire, over,” Callie directed as she moved her team easily through the corridor leading up to the main entrance of the warehouse where the action was concentrated.
Without resistance, the three found themselves in the frenzy of the battle. The criminals inside the warehouse were scattering, dividing, panicking as they fired random shots outside the warehouse - unaware that the enemy had found the way inside. Callie signaled for Colby and David to divide into two positions near the entrance to the open space where they could find cover behind large crates that were tucked away near the corner of the room. Without question, they followed her lead and when they had signaled to each other that they were ready - Callie once more spoke into her com.
“Blue bird, team fire bird is in position. Rain down…repeat, rain down,” she commanded, giving the order for SWAT to take the warehouse.
When she received conformation that her order had been heard, she took a deep breath and looked to David and Colby. Again, with a nod - the signal was received and simultaneously, the three stood from hiding and shouted, “FBI! Drop your weapons!”
Immediately, those in the warehouse not currently distracted by the impending presence of SWAT inside the building, turned toward the voices. And when they saw Callie, and they saw her in her FBI gear - recognizing her as their fearless leader who had now betrayed them, the rage and hatred that filled them was instant…and without another thought, they trained their weapons on the trio.
Callie, Colby, and David immediately ducked behind the crates - taking shots as they could, continually trying to strategize a way out of this situation as they waited for SWAT to make an entrance. The distinct sound of friendly fire could be heard echoing through the warehouse as SWAT laid down cover fire for teams to make the way into the building, but for Callie they didn’t seem to be moving fast enough. Even with the cover fire being laid down by SWAT and the well aimed bullets firing from the guns of Colby and David…the thugs were gunning for her. Their fire seemed to be trained specifically on her. After all, she had been the one to win their trust…and all along she’d been working for the other side.
She took her shots as best she could…once more calling for back up. Where were they?!? Colby could hear in her voice that she was asking the same question on his mind - more from annoyance than out of fear.
Another shot was taken. Another thug was injured before another bullet whizzed past his ear - a straggler from the hail of fire in Callie’s direction.
And then he saw movement…movement out of the corner of his eye. David had seen it too, a fraction of a second before they shouted in unison, “Callie! Behind you!”
Thud, thud…
They were too late.
Every thing seemed to move in slow motion as Colby and David watched Callie’s body crumple to the ground. Her lifeless body spilled about the floor, her fiery red hair pooling about her head where she lay…and the sight of it instantly threw Colby into a blind rage. He was completely unaware of his action as he fired and killed the man who had sneaked up behind Callie. And without a signal to David, he ducked out from behind his cover and was firing into the warehouse as he made his way over to her. David reacted instinctively when he saw what Colby was doing and he laid down his own cover fire, trying to give his partner safe passage to their fallen teammate.
Just as Colby ducked behind the crate that had sheltered Callie, SWAT burst through the doors - creating more panic and confusion in the warehouse...but it worked to an advantage. The remaining thugs - seeing their fallen comrades, and knowing they were out numbered - began surrendering…giving SWAT little resistance to the demands being made.
Colby, however, was completely oblivious to every thing around him as he pulled Callie’s body into his arms. “Callie?” he choked. “Callie! Please, no!” he shouted as he rocked her.
He had never experienced fear as he was now…not even during his time in Afghanistan. His whole world was on the verge of collapse as he cradled Callie’s limp body against him. His fear mingled with an anger that welled up inside of him as he rocked her, somehow trying to will his own life into her - to bring her back.
And just as tears started to sting his eyes, his mind came alive with the realization…there was no blood. There had been none on the ground, and there was none covering his hands after he’d been holding her. But, she still wasn’t breathing.
The vest! He cried - his mind now racing with hope and impatience as he tried to process the jumbled thoughts being tossed about in his brain. The vest! He thought again…the vest had done its job! It had stopped the bullets…but the force of the bullets crashing into the Kevlar had knocked the air out of her! He finally rationalized.
Frantically, he moved to break her free of the vest that had saved her life but currently was keeping her from breathing. As soon as she was free, with a gentle shake - her eyes flew open and a great gasp escaped her as her lungs once more filled with the air they needed to function. It didn’t happen without pain…a lot of pain as it felt like her entire mid section had been crushed by the two bullets lodged in her vest. But, she was alive…she was breathing and that was enough for Colby as he pulled her tightly against him and showered her face with kisses.
“Easy…easy,” she whispered, smiling despite the pain she felt from the air she was pulling into her lungs…
There was a calm then that followed the storm. The FBI agents, with the help of SWAT, were able to secure the area. Arrests were made. Criminals were taken away. Drugs were confiscated. And word was received that the other teams had been just as successful with only minor injuries to report.
It had been a good day, Callie thought even as she hissed in pain as the medic clumsily examined her rib cage. She was sitting on the bumper of the ambulance, observing the scene around her - doing what she could to distract herself from the obligatory examination she had to suffer through before she could get back to her life. The crime scene was bustling with activity as evidence was collected, reports were made, and alliances were appreciated.
Nine weeks of her life had led them here…nine weeks away from Colby, away from the life she knew, away from the person she recognized as herself - but it had been worth it. The hard work and dedication had just removed millions of dollars worth of cocaine from the streets. Her personal sacrifice of time and energy had helped to make LA a better place …even if only for just a little while…and that was why she did this job.
She smiled casually at the SWAT team leader who helped her organize this mission as he passed by just before the medic declared what she already knew - she was going to have some nasty bruises, but there were no broken bones and she was free to go. She thanked him politely, despite the urge she felt to mutter “No shit, Sherlock” before she once again looked up and felt her heart skip a beat.
Colby had been patient, leaning against a nearby patrol car as he talked to David…just waiting for the medic to finish with his examination of Callie. And as soon as the EMT moved away from the ambulance, he excused himself from David and was now walking over to her.
Nine weeks they had been separated, aside from the brief encounter of three days ago. For nine weeks, their life together had been put on hold. As he walked closer to her, one hand tucked behind him into the pocket of his jeans and the other hand nervously rubbed the back of his neck, Callie knew that there was going to be a transition back to normalcy. It would take them a little time, but they would make it happen…but first, there was just one thing she had to do.
“I just have one thing to say to you, Granger,” she spoke and her tone was serious as she looked up at him from where she sat.
Despite the relief he felt, knowing he was free…that Callie was alive and that the job was done…he expected exactly this tone from her. He was sure David told her about his uncharacteristic response during the shoot out. She was, after all, his team leader…and he had acted carelessly - even if it had been for a good reason. He tried to convince himself he deserved an ear full as he braced himself for the reprimand he was about to receive.
“What’s that, Walker?” he asked, preparing himself for the fury about to rain down upon him.
“Take me home,” she nearly whispered.
Relief and love stole through his entire being at her words. She was no longer his teammate on duty. She was just a woman, exhausted and bruised, ready to go home with the man she loved as she gazed at him with a softened light dancing through her eyes.
Home? He thought as he moved forward and scooped her up into his arms. She would be there…tonight…with him. Yes, after nine weeks without her…home is exactly what it would be. [ original post]
<< Lovers, Part 2
Title: Teammates
Characters/Pairings: David, Colby/OFC-Callie
Rating: PG-13 (language; mild adult situations)
Word Count: 3,633
Summary: She'd been an enemy...a lover...and now there was a job to do...
Spoilers: 3.24 - The Janus List and 4.01 - Trust Metric
Notes/Warnings: Part 3/3 in the Enemies/Lovers/Teammates trilogy. This piece also contains references to an earlier series, Broken/Fixed.
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, regrettably - it's not mine.
For what had to be the thousandth time in three days, he looked absently at the four dingy walls surrounding him hoping that maybe this time, something would catch his eye. Nothing did.
Solitary confinement. He knew he’d been through worse. Yes…much worse, he thought even as he arched his neck back so that his head rested against the wall behind him where he sat on the floor with his arms stretched out over his knees. He’d spent weeks holed up in a tiny bunker with twelve other soldiers as the enemy pummeled the surrounding area with artillery fire - wondering every day if that would be his last. He’d been held a prisoner of war in Afghanistan - threatened with torture for the secrets that he knew…secrets he still knew, he winced closing his eyes against the memory.
Then there had been that period of time he’d spent in the federal prison system. Five long weeks he’d been a prisoner - pretending to be a man who betrayed the same country he’d nearly died fighting for. It had all been part of a top secret assignment given to him - and him alone - by the Department of Justice in an attempt to uncover a ring of spies and traitors within the department. He remembered that as the worst time in his life…because Callie had left him. She’d not been privy to his secret assignment despite his wanting to tell her everything from the first moment he laid eyes on her. She deserved to know what she was getting in to with him; truthfully, he shouldn’t have even been involved with her knowing the reason he was in LA to begin with - but from the first day he’d met her, she’d been a drug in his veins he’d not been able to live without. The day he’d been arrested…he swallowed hard against the memory…she’d given back his ring. She cried…and it had been his partner, Agent David Sinclair, who held her. There had never been an enemy soldier, or a government facility that could have inflicted a greater torture to him than that. He had to live with that lasting vision every day he was away from her…praying that when he was free, when his assignment was over…she would listen to him and take him back. He had no such luck. Even when she knew the truth about his assignment, she felt so betrayed…and so angry with him that she had not wanted to see him or speak to him. He tried to call. She didn’t answer. David tried to talk to her. She didn’t listen. He wanted to talk to her when he went to the house they shared to pick up his clothes. He remembered even now the coldness that had been in her eyes then - eyes that flamed with passion for him and him alone before everything went wrong…and it sent a chill through him.
But then, something happened and she came back to him. She’d never been able to tell him exactly what had changed - ever an occupational hazard, he thought with a smirk. They were both agents…damned good agents…and he knew that some government secrets were meant to be kept. The truth was he didn’t really care what had melted the ice around her…he only cared that she came back to him. She listened to him. She’d let him explain himself and she’d given him back her heart. They had picked up the pieces and he’d asked her to marry him again…and marry him she did. October nineteenth, he whispered out loud as his thumb ran along the bottom of the wedding ring gracing his left hand.
His memories from his time with Callie - both good and bad - were the only thing keeping him sane as once again he looked around at the four walls surrounding him. He knew it was just his imagination - it had to be - but he swore the room was getting smaller the longer he sat there. Focus, he told himself, focus on her. He closed his eyes…and there she was - smiling at him, laughing as he swung her around on the beach behind the house where they lived. The full moon was shining brightly…candles and torches illuminated the sand. Every where around them - friends and family were talking and laughing, enjoying each other’s company…but he heard nothing but the sound of Callie’s voice as she whispered to him that she loved him. She wore a gown of white, her hair was free - tumbling down her back and they were dancing…their first dance as husband and wife. Despite his circumstances, he smiled and sighed contentedly as he felt his entire body relax with the memory.
She’d not been able to come see him after that early morning when he’d taken her against the wall, giving her a promise of what was to come when this was all over. She said she would try to come back to see him…that they would figure this out. Together they would figure out a way to get him out of here. It would all be over soon. Her words gave him hope - and with every hour that passed, he grew more anxious to see her. But she’d not come back. He let a day pass before he started to worry that they had discovered who she really was…that the powerful and commanding Aidan, was really FBI agent Callie Walker working to bring down one of the largest drug cartels in all of Los Angeles. He tried to fend off his worry…but locked in a small room with only four dirty walls for company, the feat wasn’t an easy one as his mind once more filled with dread that something had happened to her.
No, he scolded himself trying again to focus on his memory of the day he married the most beautiful woman in existence. He knew that if something had happened…if she had been found out - he would have been dead by now. And since no one came…only to give him water, he rested and waited…
When his eyes shot open next, he immediately looked to his watch. He’d somehow managed to fall asleep against the wall where he sat and had been lost in a dream for over an hour. But something woke him. What was happening? He thought as his heart began to race and he worked furiously to focus his attention on everything around him.
And then he heard it. There was a noise outside the door. It wasn’t the familiar jingling of keys warning him that someone was coming to bring him water - giving him ample time to stash his watch and replace the cuffs about his wrists and ankles. Somehow he knew it wasn’t necessary for him to keep up the façade of captivity. There was no real warning shooting through his system as he continued to listen and he stood to his feet.
There were voices…two voices - and he couldn’t be sure…knowing his mind had been playing tricks on him, but he swore that he recognized the sounds. Before he had time to consider it further, however, there was another loud noise giving Colby barely enough time to back away from the door before it was kicked in by the heavy boot of David Sinclair. The next thing he knew, Callie was rushing into the room while David stood point at the door.
He had just been dreaming about her…thinking about her…wishing he could see her; and now, here she was coming towards him - Kevlar vest secured about her torso, a sidearm holstered to each thigh, her hair in a pony tail, and that familiar expectant and determined look in her eyes that she always wore when she was in charge. This…this was his Cal…and she was sexier to him than Aidan, the wanton sex goddess, could have ever been.
She’d not even had words out of her mouth before Colby had her in his arms even if for just a moment as he placed a welcome and appreciative kiss on her lips. He could see in her eyes that they had to move fast. A plan had come together. She and David had slipped into the building to free him, and then the three of them would make the move to take down the criminals - but not before he had a taste of her.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come back to tell you, Colby,” Callie breathed as soon as his lips pulled away from hers. Even as she spoke, she was moving to slip the extra vest she carried over his head - knowing without words that he understood what their next action would be.
Her hands moving over him as they slid the vest into place, the heat of the moment…the loneliness of being without her for eight weeks…the taste of her still on his lips after just kissing her - all worked against him in that moment. He simply couldn’t stop himself as he shifted his weight and moved to press her more fully against the wall behind her before his lips crashed down over hers. She gave an appreciative sigh, opening herself to him as her hands continued to move over him to tighten the vest even as he kissed her long and deep. He felt the heavy Velcro securing the vest tightly around him, and he kissed her harder…then her hands moved around his waist, slipping about him until he felt the gun being tucked safely into his back and felt another gun in its holster being snapped onto his belt. He was protected and armed…and she had managed all this while he kissed her.
David risked a glance away from the door and over his shoulder to find out the progress of the mission at hand - marveling over the silence coming from every direction. When he saw that Colby had Callie pinned, bracing himself with his arms against the wall on either side of her, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
“Now, man? You want to do this now?” David called back even as he smirked and turned his attention back to his post at the door.
“If not now, when?” Colby asked breathlessly, momentarily pulling away to answer before diving into his kiss with Callie once again.
Callie let him enjoy this moment for just that…a moment - taking her own pleasure from his kiss, before she eased her lips away from him and used her weight to push them away from the wall. He smiled at her with a wink as he stepped back and looked to her for his orders, setting the communicator into his ear…knowing the time to be lovers had passed. Now, there was a job to do.
“We’ve got five teams around the city…each taking down a section of the cartel,” she began, and Colby couldn’t help but feel excitement coursing through him as he heard the command and resolve lacing her voice. Callie seemed to sense this and afforded him a knowing smirk before she spoke again. “Don has point on one team; DEA and ATF have the other three. We’ve got the warehouse. SWAT is around the perimeter waiting for our call. Surveillance says there are thirty men inside and…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the distinct sound of gun fire filled the air. Someone had discovered the operation. The gunshots ringing in their ears immediately snapped Callie, David, and Colby into the moment. With game faces on, they strategically filed out of the cell even as a voice boomed through the com.
“Fire bird, what’s your twenty, over?” bellowed the SWAT team leader - anxious for retaliation.
“Blue bird, hostage extracted. Moving through lower quadrant…sector B - en route to upper warehouse. Stand ready for entrance and cover fire, over,” Callie directed as she moved her team easily through the corridor leading up to the main entrance of the warehouse where the action was concentrated.
Without resistance, the three found themselves in the frenzy of the battle. The criminals inside the warehouse were scattering, dividing, panicking as they fired random shots outside the warehouse - unaware that the enemy had found the way inside. Callie signaled for Colby and David to divide into two positions near the entrance to the open space where they could find cover behind large crates that were tucked away near the corner of the room. Without question, they followed her lead and when they had signaled to each other that they were ready - Callie once more spoke into her com.
“Blue bird, team fire bird is in position. Rain down…repeat, rain down,” she commanded, giving the order for SWAT to take the warehouse.
When she received conformation that her order had been heard, she took a deep breath and looked to David and Colby. Again, with a nod - the signal was received and simultaneously, the three stood from hiding and shouted, “FBI! Drop your weapons!”
Immediately, those in the warehouse not currently distracted by the impending presence of SWAT inside the building, turned toward the voices. And when they saw Callie, and they saw her in her FBI gear - recognizing her as their fearless leader who had now betrayed them, the rage and hatred that filled them was instant…and without another thought, they trained their weapons on the trio.
Callie, Colby, and David immediately ducked behind the crates - taking shots as they could, continually trying to strategize a way out of this situation as they waited for SWAT to make an entrance. The distinct sound of friendly fire could be heard echoing through the warehouse as SWAT laid down cover fire for teams to make the way into the building, but for Callie they didn’t seem to be moving fast enough. Even with the cover fire being laid down by SWAT and the well aimed bullets firing from the guns of Colby and David…the thugs were gunning for her. Their fire seemed to be trained specifically on her. After all, she had been the one to win their trust…and all along she’d been working for the other side.
She took her shots as best she could…once more calling for back up. Where were they?!? Colby could hear in her voice that she was asking the same question on his mind - more from annoyance than out of fear.
Another shot was taken. Another thug was injured before another bullet whizzed past his ear - a straggler from the hail of fire in Callie’s direction.
And then he saw movement…movement out of the corner of his eye. David had seen it too, a fraction of a second before they shouted in unison, “Callie! Behind you!”
Thud, thud…
They were too late.
Every thing seemed to move in slow motion as Colby and David watched Callie’s body crumple to the ground. Her lifeless body spilled about the floor, her fiery red hair pooling about her head where she lay…and the sight of it instantly threw Colby into a blind rage. He was completely unaware of his action as he fired and killed the man who had sneaked up behind Callie. And without a signal to David, he ducked out from behind his cover and was firing into the warehouse as he made his way over to her. David reacted instinctively when he saw what Colby was doing and he laid down his own cover fire, trying to give his partner safe passage to their fallen teammate.
Just as Colby ducked behind the crate that had sheltered Callie, SWAT burst through the doors - creating more panic and confusion in the warehouse...but it worked to an advantage. The remaining thugs - seeing their fallen comrades, and knowing they were out numbered - began surrendering…giving SWAT little resistance to the demands being made.
Colby, however, was completely oblivious to every thing around him as he pulled Callie’s body into his arms. “Callie?” he choked. “Callie! Please, no!” he shouted as he rocked her.
He had never experienced fear as he was now…not even during his time in Afghanistan. His whole world was on the verge of collapse as he cradled Callie’s limp body against him. His fear mingled with an anger that welled up inside of him as he rocked her, somehow trying to will his own life into her - to bring her back.
And just as tears started to sting his eyes, his mind came alive with the realization…there was no blood. There had been none on the ground, and there was none covering his hands after he’d been holding her. But, she still wasn’t breathing.
The vest! He cried - his mind now racing with hope and impatience as he tried to process the jumbled thoughts being tossed about in his brain. The vest! He thought again…the vest had done its job! It had stopped the bullets…but the force of the bullets crashing into the Kevlar had knocked the air out of her! He finally rationalized.
Frantically, he moved to break her free of the vest that had saved her life but currently was keeping her from breathing. As soon as she was free, with a gentle shake - her eyes flew open and a great gasp escaped her as her lungs once more filled with the air they needed to function. It didn’t happen without pain…a lot of pain as it felt like her entire mid section had been crushed by the two bullets lodged in her vest. But, she was alive…she was breathing and that was enough for Colby as he pulled her tightly against him and showered her face with kisses.
“Easy…easy,” she whispered, smiling despite the pain she felt from the air she was pulling into her lungs…
There was a calm then that followed the storm. The FBI agents, with the help of SWAT, were able to secure the area. Arrests were made. Criminals were taken away. Drugs were confiscated. And word was received that the other teams had been just as successful with only minor injuries to report.
It had been a good day, Callie thought even as she hissed in pain as the medic clumsily examined her rib cage. She was sitting on the bumper of the ambulance, observing the scene around her - doing what she could to distract herself from the obligatory examination she had to suffer through before she could get back to her life. The crime scene was bustling with activity as evidence was collected, reports were made, and alliances were appreciated.
Nine weeks of her life had led them here…nine weeks away from Colby, away from the life she knew, away from the person she recognized as herself - but it had been worth it. The hard work and dedication had just removed millions of dollars worth of cocaine from the streets. Her personal sacrifice of time and energy had helped to make LA a better place …even if only for just a little while…and that was why she did this job.
She smiled casually at the SWAT team leader who helped her organize this mission as he passed by just before the medic declared what she already knew - she was going to have some nasty bruises, but there were no broken bones and she was free to go. She thanked him politely, despite the urge she felt to mutter “No shit, Sherlock” before she once again looked up and felt her heart skip a beat.
Colby had been patient, leaning against a nearby patrol car as he talked to David…just waiting for the medic to finish with his examination of Callie. And as soon as the EMT moved away from the ambulance, he excused himself from David and was now walking over to her.
Nine weeks they had been separated, aside from the brief encounter of three days ago. For nine weeks, their life together had been put on hold. As he walked closer to her, one hand tucked behind him into the pocket of his jeans and the other hand nervously rubbed the back of his neck, Callie knew that there was going to be a transition back to normalcy. It would take them a little time, but they would make it happen…but first, there was just one thing she had to do.
“I just have one thing to say to you, Granger,” she spoke and her tone was serious as she looked up at him from where she sat.
Despite the relief he felt, knowing he was free…that Callie was alive and that the job was done…he expected exactly this tone from her. He was sure David told her about his uncharacteristic response during the shoot out. She was, after all, his team leader…and he had acted carelessly - even if it had been for a good reason. He tried to convince himself he deserved an ear full as he braced himself for the reprimand he was about to receive.
“What’s that, Walker?” he asked, preparing himself for the fury about to rain down upon him.
“Take me home,” she nearly whispered.
Relief and love stole through his entire being at her words. She was no longer his teammate on duty. She was just a woman, exhausted and bruised, ready to go home with the man she loved as she gazed at him with a softened light dancing through her eyes.
Home? He thought as he moved forward and scooped her up into his arms. She would be there…tonight…with him. Yes, after nine weeks without her…home is exactly what it would be. [ original post]
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