Jack and Sara : A New Beginning (Read 9,462 times)

[Minako98]

Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gapeach]

Sure do hope whoever came out of the elevator sees Ben and he is going to be okay!

[blueyed358]

Chapter 118


Robbie sat in the passenger seat as Steve drove, sirens blaring to the hospital. He thought about how Dean had called him, asking if he had heard from Ben. Dean was waiting at their usual sports bar to watch the Giants game with Ben and he was a no show. " Probably got stuck at work." was what Robert had told him. Almost two hours later, Agent Darrow had come to his parents door. Sara had assumed he was looking for Steve and Robert and invited him in. The rest was a blur to him except for the three words his mother uttered softly to Agent Darrow, " Is he dead?" How had she known? Darrow had not said a word yet, was it something in his eyes when he looked at her ? The response had hit Robert in the pit of his stomach as hard as kick from a bull, " He's close to it, we need to get to the hospital..now." Steve had told Robert over and over in the car what a tough guy Ben was. He was too stubborn to die, he had said. They were flying through the streets of the city, no small feat, but still it was not fast enough to suit him. His Mother and Father wanted to come with them but Robbie knew that with the cast on his father's leg it would only slow them down so they agreed to meet him there. His mother was scared, he saw it in her eyes but she did what she always did, pushed it down deep and held herself together..for his sake. " What if he dies before we get there?" Robert whispered softly. " Don't think like that, we'll make it there, he'll make it."



An hour before...



Dr Kayla Johnson stood by the emergency room doors awaiting an ambulance arriving with a gun shot victim. The patient had coded twice in the ten minute ride there, he was losing blood fast and his lungs were filling with blood. The ambulance came to a screeching halt and the doors burst open, Kayla and another doctor with several nurses ran to the opening doors. The stretcher came out and Kayla froze for a minute, " Oh god no," she whispered. The other Doctor asked what was wrong as they wheeled the stretcher in. Again he asked then asked if she knew him, " Yes..he works with my husband, his name is Ben Todd." As they worked to try and stabilize him, Kayla spoke to him, calling out to him. " Ben!..Ben can you hear me?..Open your eyes Ben! " The young doctor called for the paddles, " We're losing him again!"



Robert and Steve burst through the doors of the emergency room, the nurse told them that they were working on him and she would give them an update when she could. Robert paced as Steve leaned against the wall. Sara, Jack and Dean came in. Sara took her son's hand, " Any news?" Robbie shook his head, "But Aunt Kayla is in there with him." Robbie drew the back of his hand under his nose. He was fighting so hard not to cry, Sara knew. Other agents started to file in, checking on Ben's status. The doors of the exam room opened and they wheeled Ben out towards the elevator. There was a nurse at his head with a mask and bag over his face. She squeezed the bag over and over, breathing for him. There was at least four people around him and Kayla followed the stretcher out of the room. Robbie ran to him, but they tried to keep him back, but Kayla told them to let him go. They waited for the elevator and Robbie grabbed Ben's hand, " Ben..Ben it's me..it's Robbie..I'm here..I'm here with you.." The elevator opened and Robbie tried to go in with him, " Robbie..I'm sorry, you have to stay here." Robbie let go of Ben's hand as they rushed him into the elevator and up to surgery. Steve walked over to Agent Darrow, " What the hell went down? " Darrow told them how Ben was found in the garage of his apartment. He had been ambushed. Sara asked, " How many did Ben get?" Darrow cleared his throat, " None...his gun was still in it's holster." Everyone stood mouth opened. " I don't understand ..how is that possible? He has been in that position before and he always gets his gun out." Jack looked at Sara, " I would say that is very telling..wouldn't you?" Sara nodded, Steve stood hands on his hips, " Benjamin knew the shooter." Kayla came in and all eyes were on her. " What's the word sweetness?" Steve asked. " It's not good. He has lost a lot of blood. He was shot four times and the two that hit him in the chest damaged both his heart and lungs, it was a miracle really that he didn't die on the floor of that garage." Then she placed her hand on Robbie's arm, " He is fighting so hard, his will to live is very strong." Robbie nodded, then froze an idea forming in his mind. " You said he was shot four times..where did the other two bullets hit him?" Kayla put her hands in her pockets, and looked down at the lab coat she wore stained with Ben's blood. " One in the abdomen the other in the shoulder. " Robbie stared at Steve, " Which shoulder?" Kayla looked puzzled, " Ahh the right shoulder." Robbie and Steve stared at each other now. " What are you thinking? " Steve asked. " That's it..that was the first shot...the shoulder shot." Steve looked as if a light went off in his head. " Why do think that? Is that important?" Jack asked. Robbie looked at his father, " Ben is a rightie..he wears a left side shoulder holster.." Robbie made the move and showed him how Ben would reach for his gun. Then Steve spoke and everyone looked at him, " A well placed shot to his right shoulder would immobilize his arm.. making him fumble for his weapon with his left hand...." Then Robbie continued, " opening up his chest to the shooter and giving him an extra precious few seconds to hit Ben without him returning fire." Jack and Sara exchanged glances, and Jack said, " So he did know the shooter." Robbie exhaled, " More importantly..the shooter knew him and knew him well enough to know how Ben carries his weapon."



Ben was in the operating room, he had never regained consciousness. He had felt the squeeze of his hand, hearing the name.."Robbie". His mind connecting to a memory....





He had just sent Sara flowers..one for everyday that had past since they met. His card said as much.." Each flower represents a day that I have thought about you since we met" he thought that was pretty clever. Now he would go and knock on her door..ask her out again. Before he could knock the door opened and a young boy, about thirteen, came out. He stopped and stared at Ben. He was carrying baseball equipment. " Hello..I was looking for Sara Jamison..you must be her son." Robert frowned and looked Ben up and down. "She isn't home." he said as he locked the door. "You must be that FBI guy who sent her all those flowers." Ben smirked, " I am..my name is Ben..Ben Todd" Robbie turned and stuck out his hand, " Robert..Robert Jamison." They walked back to the elevator together. " Those flowers must have set you back a bundle." Ben laughed, " Oh yeah..did she like them?" Robbie shrugged, " I guess..not sure if she likes you though." Ben frowned, " I know..I keep trying. I am a nice guy..really I am." Robert laughed, " My aunt thinks you are a man whore." Ben's eyes opened wide, " What?..That isn't very nice..I mean sure I date..a lot..but I haven't found what I am looking for yet that's all. " Robbie nodded, " Yeah..Uncle Dean always told me it's ok to sample the menu just don't make a pig of yourself." Ben laughed out loud, " That's good advice." They got into the elevator and Robbie pressed the button. " From what I heard them saying about you..you are a glutton." Ben looked down at the boy, "Can I help it if the ladies find me ..interesting. There was this one woman..I came home one night and she was waiting by my door...never mind. How old are you anyway?" Robbie smirked, " I am going to be fourteen next month. If you really are like what they say..you should stay away from my mom. She isn't like that..and I wouldn't want to see her get hurt." Ben sighed, " I know she isn't like that. She isn't like any woman I have ever met. I like her..a lot. I just want a chance to get to know her better." Robbie stared at him..he couldn't help himself, he liked this guy. " Well..if I were you..I'd play down the Romeo act." Ben chuckled, " You sure you are only thirteen?" When the left the building Robbie stopped short, " Whoa! Is this YOUR car?" He asked at the sight of the red sports car. " Yeah..this is my baby. You like cars?" Robbie made a face at him, " Seriously? I am a teenage boy..There are only four things that rule my life right now...Video games..sports..food..and girls...not always in that order." Ben laughed loudly as he watched Robbie walk around the car. He had never met a kid like this..ever. He liked him..he knew he was special. " I will try to remember that. How would you like me to give you a lift to the park?" Robbie looked at him, " Well you are a fed so I guess it would be ok." Then as he got in and buckled his seat belt he looked at Ben," Man my friends are going to stoke out when they see me get out of this car."



" We need another pint of blood" the surgeon yelled. Ben was barely aware of what was going on, lost in his memories, he only knew he was cold and his body was shivering.



Jack watched his son pace, then sit down, then pace again. Agent Darrow came over with another man and introduced him as Ben's lawyer. He explained that the Bureau policy for agents with no family was to have a lawyer who would have power of attorney to make the decisions for him. " What?..No way..no way some stranger is going to make those decisions." Robbie was upset. He grabbed Jack by the lapels, " Help me..you have money..get me a lawyer..I want to fight this." Jack put his hands on his son's shoulders, " Of course..we will do whatever is necessary." The lawyer cleared his throat, " that won't be necessary. You see I never had power of attorney for Agent Todd. I only got his papers in order. Miss Jamison had the power of attorney up until last year. " He turned and looked at Robbie. " He amended his wishes..he has listed you as next of kin. You have power of attorney. You make his medical decisions..you are in charge of his home..cars..his money..all of it. And in the event of Agent Todd's death..you are his sole beneficiary." Both Jack and Sara turned and looked at Robbie as he flopped down into a chair. Sara sat in the chair next to him and took his hand. Sara kissed him on the cheek and could taste the salt from his tear. "Mom..you will help me make the decisions..won't you? We are all he has." Sara sighed, " Of course I will honey and I know you will do what is best for him, so did he. He trusts you with his life...he loves you." Katie and Abby came out of the elevator and ran to Robbie. After hugging her brother she left him with Katie and went to her father. " I just had to come..for Robbie. When Katie told me I knew how upset he would be. Are you alright Daddy?" Jack hugged his daughter," Yes..I am just worried about your brother, he was finally getting his life calmed down."



Kayla came into the waiting room. " He's out of surgery but he is in critically condition. They have him on life support right now. " Robbie stood and looked into her eyes, " What are his chances?" Kayla could see the pain in his eyes, "It's hard to say.." Robbie took her hand, " Aunt Kayla please..just tell me the truth." Kayla squeezed his hand, " Not good..if we can't get him off the life support in a few days..he might never come off it." Sara covered her mouth and Jack put his arm around her shoulder. Steve whispered to them, " I am going to find out who did this.." Sara looked at Jack, who looked down at her then to his brother, " You find out what he has been working on. Sara and I will do whatever else you need." Sara had a thought, " Steve..try and keep it quiet for now..if the person who did this knew Ben that well.." Steve nodded, " They could be linked to the FBI..that's what I was thinking too."



Sara and Jack sat holding hands. " Are you alright Jack? I know this must upset you to see Robbie so ..emotional." Jack shook his head, " Only in that i hate seeing him in pain. I have come to except what Agent Todd and my roles are in Robert's life. What about you? You don't need to hide your feelings from me." Sara rested her head on hes shoulder, " I guess I am still in shock that's all." Steve walked over, " Hey Jackson..feel up to a trip over to the FBI office. I want to get a look at Benjamin's desk..I need a look out." Jack raised an eyebrow, " Absolutely." He kissed Sara and after a "Be careful" they were gone. Angela came and sat with Sara, handing her a cup of coffee. They looked at each other..no words spoken and Sara began to cry, so did Angela and they held onto one another.



" Can I see him now? " Robbie asked. Kayla told him they could..a few minutes at a time, one at a time. Robbie looked at his mother. " You go in first..he needs to hear that your here." Sara stood and gave her cup to Angela. When Sara walked into his room her heart stopped. She had seen him injured before..but never like this..so still..the machines breathing for him. She took his hand and kissed his head. "Ben..it's Sara..hold on Ben..keep fighting." The tears stung her eyes, " What is this all about?..Why are you here?" Those words...her voice...bounced around his mind....



" Why are you here Agent Todd? I haven't done anything that would warrant my arrest in weeks." she asked with a sarcastic smirk. Ever since he arrested her he could not get her out of his mind. God she was beautiful, he thought. So tough, independent and smart..real smart. He had never met anyone like her and he had to get to know her better. " I thought we could have lunch." he said with a smirk. Sara moved close, "I am not going to have lunch with you..not lunch..not dinner nor drinks or even coffee..not today..not ever." Ben watched her walk back to her desk. He followed her and sat on her desk, " Ok we can go right to breakfast..if you insist." Sara laughed, " Not in your lifetime pal." Ben looked around and a very pretty blonde walked by smiling at him. Sara rolled her eyes, " If you like I can introduce you to her..I am sure she will go out with you." Ben turned back to Sara, " No thanks..I am very into brunettes at the moment." Again she rolled her eyes."I don't understand why you won't go out with me..I am nice guy." Sara shook her head, " If by nice you mean an arrogant lecherous jerk..then yeah..your nice guy." Ben frowned, " Hey..I resent that..If you would just give me a chance you'd see that isn't who I am. " Sara sighed, " yeah right..look I am really busy so if you don't mind..don't let the elevator door close on your.." Ben looked down and saw picture frames on her desk. " This is that photographer guy..are you and he..?" Sara took the frame out of his hand, "No!..that happens to be his wife in the picture with us..they happen to be my best friends." Ben lifted the other frame, " Cute kid.. let me guess... nephew?" Sara smirked, she could imagine how fast he was going to bolt for the door when she told him. " Nooo...he's my son." She watched him from the corner of her eye. " Son?..Please tell me your divorced..I don't date married woman..even I have rules." Sara frowned," I am neither married nor divorced..will you please leave now..I have a deadline to meet and you are very distracting." Ben smiled and got up off the desk. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, " Well that's something..I am not giving up you know..I am going to pester you until you go out with me" then he handed her the frame, " See you soon Ace." When he turned around he saw Dean watching them. He followed Ben into the elevator. "What do you want from her man? She isn't your type." Ben looked at him," How do you know what my type is?" Dean chuckled, " Dumb bimbos.." he mumbled. Ben sighed, " I haven't been able to stop thinking about..she fascinates me..I can't explain it..she really does something to me." Dean studied him. He had met him several times and he liked him. He was honest and fair and never treated the press badly. He believed him, " Don't come on so damn arrogant..she hates that. Try being more sincere..less ..lines..if you get my drift. Be yourself." Ben cleared his throat, "Thanks..I'll try but..it's hard for me..you know what I mean." Dean nodded, " Yeah..I know what you mean."



Jack sat at Steve's desk trying to act casual. His eyes darted all around looking for anyone coming near. Steve was in Ben's office going through his desk.The intercom was on so Jack could talk to his brother. " Uh-oh..Agent Olsen is approaching." Steve had the door closed as well as the blinds on the windows overlooking the "bullpen" as they called it. "Get rid of him if you can..I am almost done here." Agent Olsen came over to Jack, " Hey Jack..what are you doing here?" Jack told him that Steve came to hand in some paperwork and he just tagged along. " How's Ben doing." Jack tried to see in the man's face how sincere he was, " He's hanging on." Jack knew he had to get Agent Olson away so Steve could get out the door. " Hey..can you show me where to get a cup of coffee? " Olson told Jack he would take him to the break room and Jack hobbled on his crutches slowly. Steve could hear Jack telling Olson about his knee as they left. He was about to give up when he thought of something Ben had mentioned in passing. Steve got up and went to the door. They had to get into Ben's apartment. After stopping at the hospital to pick up the keys to the apartment, Steve and Jack headed over to Ben's. " If he was hiding any files or anything like that..it will be in that ammo room..I am sure of it." Jack agreed, " Do you have any idea what we are looking for?" he asked. Steve glanced over to his brother, " No..but I am sure we'll know it when we see it."





Sara watched as Robert got the security detail for Ben's room and then greeted the Agents one by one as they came drifting in and out to check on him. Two Agents arrived from Washington. They talked to a few people then one approached Robbie. He was sitting in the waiting room so Angela could sit with Ben for a while. " Your Ben's kid..I am Whitehouse..from the Washington office." Robbie shook his hand, " Robert..You served with Ben right?" The man nodded, "Yeah..he saved my ass on several occasions. " Sara's phone rang it was Jack, " Anything?" Jack sighed, " Yeah, Steve found a file hidden in Ben's ammo room. There wasn't much in it though, just a rough draft." Sara frowned, " A rough draft of what? What was he working on?" Jack took a deep breath, " It seems someone in Washington asked Ben to run a silent internal investigation on FBI corruption..starting with the Rossetti case."

[fluffysmom]

I really hope Ben is okay. I like the flashbacks mixed in with the present day. Great chapters Blueyed.

[Minako98]

Ok I really need to stop reading at work.... I'm sitting here crying

[gapeach]

Please post again SOON!! I can't wait to find out what is going on!

[blueyed358]

Chapter 119


Robbie hadn't slept in days and he was more then edgy. Three days..three days and Ben's condition had not improved.He lay still with only the sound of the machines that breathed for him and the slow "beep..beep..beep" of the heart monitor. If it were not for Abby he would not have even showered. " You have to at least shower..it will refresh you." his sister told him, but it was not her words but the worried look in her eyes that made him agree. Kayla had made arrangements with the chief of staff to allow Robbie access to the Doctors lounge and showers. Jack,Sara and Steve's investigation had been stalled. They didn't want to leave Robbie at the hospital alone and they had to work in shifts. Robbie's temper was flaring due to his lack of sleep..again. "I want you to take Dad home." He told Sara, " Every time I look over and see him, I can see how upset he is..I can't worry about his feelings right now..I have to focus on Ben. " Sara wasn't about to argue with him..it would only make matters worse. She and Jack went to get coffee and when Dean came out of Ben's room, Robbie was right back in. After about an hour Katie went in.. " You have to eat something..I will stay with him. " Robbie shook his head, " Please Robbie..I am worried about you..what good will you be to him if you make yourself sick. " Robbie just sat there staring at Ben.. "Robbie..are you alright?" Those words echoed in Ben's head.."Robbie..Are you alright?".......



Sara was out of town on a story and Ben sat in the stands with Dean and Angela at Robbie's football game." He is having a helluva game." Ben said with pride.Robbie threw a pass and was hit..hard. He went down and wasn't moving The coaches ran to him and they were all huddled around him. To Ben it seemed like time stopped. He jumped up and was down on the field in seconds flat. People were yelling at him but he pushed past everyone,he felt like he hadn't taken a breath since he saw Robbie hit the ground. Kneeling over him , he took the boy's hand, " Robbie!..Robbie..are you alright..come on kid..open your eyes." Robbie blinked several times " Boy do I have a headache." Ben finally took a breath. Ben helped sit up and then the coach from the other team started yelling at Ben about being on the field. " Hey!..How would you feel if you saw your kid laying on the ground not moving? " Ben turned to Robbie and helped him up. Robbie gave him a smile that made him look like he was five years old. Ben gave a smirk and said "What are you grinning at?" as he helped him off the field, " Nothing.." Robbie said, " Nothing at all.."



Robbie sat in the cafeteria sipping his coffee, a styrofoam container slid in front of him. He looked up to see his father standing in front of him. " It's a slice of chocolate cake..eat it." Robbie sighed. " May I talk for a moment?" Jack asked. Robbie nodded, he had strength for little else. " Robert..I heard what you said to your mother earlier.." Jack held his hand up as Robbie opened his mouth to speak. " Please..hear me out.. The look you see on my face has nothing to do with what you believe. The pain on my face is FOR you..seeing the pain you are going through..and knowing there is nothing I can do to help ease it. You see..I have come to realize what mine and Ben's roles in your life are. Believe it or not..I am grateful to him..envious..but extremely grateful. A few weeks back I spoke to a friend of mine..Bo. He has been in your position, while it was a different situation there where enough similarities to help me better understand what you might be feeling. He grew up believing one man to be his father and when he was your age..maybe even a bit older, he found out that the man, Sean, was not his natural father. The man didn't know this either..but that's not really relevant. Anyway..the man that was his biological father..whom he hated by the way..hadn't know either. This man..Victor..wanted a relationship with his son. While it took a while they did build a relationship and he does love him. Now this is where I believe the situation is the same. Bo said that he loves Victor..they have a good relationship and he sees him as his father, but no matter how close they are, when he looked at Sean he would always see his Dad. That's what I believe it to be for you. I am your Father, you love me..I love you..we have a good relationship that I believe will only get better with time, But when you look at Ben..you see the man who played catch with you..took you to ball games..attended all your sporting events..taught you to drive..a Dad...and that's okay..because he was your Dad..and he always will be. I understand that now..and I am okay with that. So..No more worrying or feeling guilty." Robbie rubbed his eyes and hugged Jack, "You really are an amazing man, thanks Dad." Jack stood up,"Eat your cake." As Jack started walking away Robbie called out, " The icing is still on this cake..right?" Jack turned around and with a raised eyebrow and smirk, shrugged his shoulders.



Sara sat holding Ben's hand. He couldn't tell what she was saying but her voice soothed him somehow. His mind roaming through the mental file cabinet of the memories his was reliving.. the feel of her hand in his...he remembered the first time he took her hand...



Finally...after two months of chasing her she finally agreed to go out with him. She refused to have him pick her up..insisting on meeting him at "Un Petit Morceau de Paris" the hottest French restaurant in New York. He was pleased at her surprise, " You have reservations there?" He smiled, "Yeah..I know the owner from my days in the Corp. I was stationed in Paris and I met him when he was just a chef." Now he paced in the bar..he glanced at his watch 7:35..she was late. What if she never meant to meet him? What if she planned on standing him up? No..she wouldn't do that, he thought. Another glance at the watch 7:36...He ordered a drink..his palms were sweating. Why was he so nervous he has been out on plenty of dates before, This was different ..he knew..if he blew it he was not getting a second chance...7:38. He swallowed his scotch and went outside and paced...7:39..Where was she? Maybe he should call her...7:40.."Sorry I am late..I couldn't seem to hail a cab to save my life." Ben turned to see her before him. He felt as though all the air was just sucked out of his lungs. Sara wore a deep purple satin halter dress that draped her body softly and stopped at her knee. The silver ankle strapped heels she wore were just high enough to accentuate her lovely legs. Her hair hung down in large curls and she wore just the right amount of makeup. Her perfume wafted slowly over to him on the soft summer night breeze. " What?..Oh no problem..it was definitely worth the wait..you look...amazing." Sara smirked, " This is THE place to dine right now..I had to dress for it." They turned back to the door and Ben put his hand on her back, her skin was softer then he imagined the satin of her dress to be. They talked about work while they decided on dinner. The owner approached the table and Ben stood to greet him, "Pierre, How are you?" he stuck out his hand and the man took it and embraced him. "Benjamin..my friend it is good to see you. Pierre had wanted them to be his guest but Ben insisted he pay for their meal. "At least allow me to send over the dessert and a bottle of champagne." Pierre spoke to him in French about Sara, telling him how beautiful she was. He only smiled at Pierre and nodded. "Merci beacoup.." Sara said sweetly. He listened to them speak French for a while and he could feel his heart pounding. He knew at first they were talking about the menu..then he wasn't sure but he thought they were talking about him, " Alright..show off." Sara laughed but there was something different in her eyes..they weren't as suspicious..they seemed softer. After Pierre left and their champagne arrived he asked her, "Well..want to tell me what that was all about? " Sara sat back and folded her arms in front of her and watched her shapely legs cross. "I made a snide remark about the many other woman you surely have brought here and he vehemently told me that this was the first time you have been here." He nodded, "That's the truth." Sara tilted her head slightly. "Then he told me not to order the lamb..he said that would upset you. I asked why and he said that was something you should tell me about." Ben frowned and swallowed, " Also true..it's a long story." Sara raised an eyebrow, " Agent Todd..I am a reporter..I love a good story." He couldn't take his eyes off her, so he told her about a mission he was on while in the corp. He didn't give her the particulars but he told her he was wounded and being hidden from "undesirables." The man hiding him was a sheep herder and gave him nothing but lamb for two months."I can't even stand the smell of it." he said with a smirk. Sara leaned forward, " Is that true? " she asked. "Truth..you have heard a few truths about me..tell me one about you." Sara smiled a slow sexy smile, " You sure you want to play this game?" He nodded again, " Most definitely." They went back and forth all through dinner each learning about the other. He had never told anyone so many personal things about himself. The only topic that seemed off limits was her son. He realized the boy had not told her about their meeting so he decided not to mention it..he didn't want to get the kid in any trouble. "Ok..something strange about me...let me see...alright..Truth..my favorite thing to eat are cocktail franks. No seriously..I can eat them everyday..anytime. Most woman eat ice cream when they are upset..I go with the little franks." He sighed when she blushed and looked down at her dessert. " Okay...mine are Mallomars. I eat at least half a box a night. I always have at least two boxes in my apartment. Here's another truth...I found it incredible sexy when you spoke French." Sara leaned forward, " They don't call it the language of love for nothing." It was a perfect night. She didn't live that far away and it was a lovely June evening so he walked her home. He will never forget the jolt that went through him when he took her hand and she closed her's around his. Halfway to her house her covered her with his jacket, then took her hand again he wanted to keep the physical contact. They stood outside her door and he asked if she enjoyed herself, "Truth?" she asked. " Please." he said hopefully. "More than I intended." Ben took a slow breath, "Truth ..I REALLY want to kiss you." Sara's expression was soft and sweet, " I would be agreeable to that." He leaned down slowly, it took all his strength to keep from taking her in his arms and pulling her close. His lips brushed hers, then landed on hers in a long ..tender kiss, his arm slipping around her waist and resting on her back. When they moved apart, she handed him back his jacket. " Thank you for a lovely evening Benjamin." He rubbed her cheek with the back of his finger, "Well..what do you think?" She tilted her head, " About?" His heart began to beat even faster then it was from the kiss,"May I see you again?" Sara opened her door and before she closed it she looked back at him with that sweet smile that could melt steel, " I would be agreeable to that as well." As he waited for the elevator he knew he had been undone by that kiss. Sara Jamison would be his Achilles heel of that he was certain. With a sigh he entered the elevator and the ice that had encased his heart all his life began to melt.



" Hello Sara..Jack." Agent Darrow said, his expression serious. "Hello Vic..anything new on the investigation?" Sara asked. " We are still compiling. I hate to do this but I need to ask you some questions...about Ben." Jack looked down at his wife, "What kind of questions?" Vic sighed, " Person history..with the exception of Sara and Robert Ben has allows keep his personal life a bit of a secret. It's SOP." Sara frowned, " Something tells me nothing about these questions are going to be stand operating procedure." Darrow cleared his throat," I assure you they will be. I need you to come with me to the office." Jack folded his arms in front of him, " Is that really necessary?" Sara turned to Jack, " Yes..you see Agent Darrow here wants to make it all nice and official." The crease appeared between Jack's eyes, " Well then I am going with you." Vic turned to Jack, " Good..we'd like to talk to you as well."



Jack and Sara entered Ben's room, they had decided not to tell Robert about the FBI wanting to talk to them..he didn't need something else upsetting him. Robert was sitting in the lounge chair that Kayla had brought in for him. She told him they were going to run down to the paper and then grab dinner. She asked if he wanted her to bring him back anything, " That would be great thanks, I promised Katie I would make sure to eat and I am not really doing a good job keeping that promise...the only thing I ate today was a piece of dry cake." he added as he looked at his father. " Dry cake?" Sara asked. Jack waived his hand dismissively, "I'll explain it later. We will be back in a bit, try and get some sleep." They left their son and walked over to Agent Darrow. They entered the FBI offices and Agent Darrow looked to Sara and gestured toward a door, " Shall we?" he asked. Sara nodded, then looked at Jack and followed Darrow through the door marked "Interrogation 1." Steve came up behind Jack, " what the hell is this about?" Jack shook his head, " I have no idea..but it looks like I am about to find out." he said as Agent Olson walked towards them.





Sara sat across from Vic Darrow as he looked through a file. "How cliche" she thought. She sighed loudly making Vic smile. " Yeah ..okay..I get the point. So Sara..I need some background on Ben and I am hoping you will shed some light on some things for us." Sara frowned, " The FBI needs ME to give them background on one of their agents? " Vic looked up at her, " I need to know what's not in the file Sara..Look..I am going to be straight with you. There is a lot of talk going around about The Bureau starting an internal investigation on corruption...going back to the Rossetti case. Ben was lead on that one. There are people asking questions..like why did he get hit now? Does it have to do with Rossetti ? Maybe he's nervous that Ben is going to talk. " Sara squinted her eyes, " Are you IMPLYING that Ben is dirty? I can't believe this .. The man is lying in a hospital on life support and you people are trying to find a way to blame him. Ben Todd is THE most honest person I have ever know. He has dedicated his life to this country and upholding it's laws, you above all should know that." Vic fiddled with the pen in his hand, " I do..I do Sara..I am just trying to get some of these questions answered so we can move the investigation along..." Sara asked him what he wanted to know. " When you two met..while he was on the Rossetti case..he drove a Ferrari..had custom Italian suits and season tickets to both the Giants and Yankees. You are an investigative reporter. You had to have been curious how he afforded all that and that apartment of his and quite frankly, you have better sources then I do. Did you know that he has more than 250,000 dollars in his bank account? " Sara shook her head, " Some crack investigators you guys are you know that? When Ben was eighteen his father died and he joined the Marines.. His father, James Todd a retired Marine had owned a very popular and profitable hunting lodge in Montana which Ben inherited. When Ben got out of the Corp he never returned there..I don't think he ever will..so he hired a broker and lawyer and he sold it all..with the exception on his father's cowboy hat, which he already had with him and his father's gun collection. He had the lawyer and the man that had bee running the lodge, ship them to him. He sold it for a little over 430,000 dollars. He bought the car, the apartment and whatever else he wanted." Vic sighed, " Did he tell you that story? Because it really looks more like that is the cover and he was bought and paid for by Rossetti. Maybe when he got out of the Corp he felt he was entitled to more." Sara was getting angry, " Yes he told me..but as you said I am an investigative reporter. I checked him out before he met my son. I can not believe the FBI never did." Vic sat back in his chair. " We did check it out. But now after what happened..we are taking a second look. They are saying the timing is too perfect. " Sara stood up and looked into the two way mirror. " You keep saying 'they'...whose they Vic? I know you are behind this mirror Ray. I want to talk to you..this is a bunch of CRAP and you know it!"



Jack excepted the coffee Agent Olsen gave him. "Thank you..I don't know what I could tell you..I mean I haven't known Agent Todd very long." Olson smirked, " Well..actually Jack I just have one question for you...How badly do you want to keep Ben Todd away from your wife and son? "

[fluffysmom]

I really liked the Ben flashbacks.

Ooo....The plot thickens....

[Minako98]

I love the flashbacks! I do NOT love the FBI seemingly trying to set Ben up to take the fall. I think Vic or Olsen (or both) are the dirty agents.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 120


Angela sat at Ben's bedside as Dean looked out the window. " I am glad they decided to allow more than single visitors now." she said. Dean grunted, " Yeah, At least neither of them will ever be alone. Robbie is in here all the time..I am glad we got him to go out for a bit..even if it was only to get us all coffee." Angela turned and watched her husband..." What is it Shutterbug? " Dean sighed, " I am worried..about Ben..Robbie..Jack..and Sara." They talked about Ben's condition and then about the strain Robert was under..and what all that was doing to Sara..and then there was Jack. " It's got to be hurting him seeing the way Robert...and then I am sure he feels guilty about feeling that way.." Angela gave him a sad smile, " Sara said that Jack has been okay with it..his main concern has been that Robbie is in such pain and he can't help. She said that's all he keeps saying..that he feels helpless." Dean cracked a smile, " Well if I know Jack Deveraux..and I do...he will find a way to help." Robbie came back in and handed out the cups. After they sat silently for a few minutes Robbie began looking at Angela who was looking at Ben with a faint smile, " What are you thinking about? " Angela looked up with a start, " Huh? Oh...I was thinking about the first time I met Ben..after giving him a hard time I decided to give him some pointers on getting your mother to go out with him." Dean chuckled, " I remember that night ..you had to help him..you were being a real...well let's just say you were very rude." Robbie smiled..a real smile," I don't think I ever heard that story.. tell me.." As Angela began to set the scene her words penetrated Ben's mind...he wasn't in a memory..he was there, walking into the bar for a beer after work....





"Excuse me?" Jack asked Agent Olsen with a tilt of his head. "You heard me..come on Jack..you have got to hate the guy..he's their hero..always has been, always will be." The light went on in Jack's head, and he gave one of his little fake laughs, " Ahh..I see where you are going with this. I do not HATE Agent Todd nor do I wish him dead. Sara made her choice..me. If you know her at all you know she is a woman who knows her own mind.. I trust her and her feelings for me. As for my son..we have only really just met and our own relationship is getting better with each day." Olsen smirked, "But Ben is still always hanging around though..right? Robert is very attached to him..like a son to a father." Again Jack laughed, " By that way of thinking I should want Dean Michaels dead as well. I understand you have a job to do here Agent Olsen..surely even you must to know how absurd this sounds." "Not so absurd..I mean you have killed before..haven't you?" The door opened and another agent waved at Olsen. Jack tried to hear what was being said but could not. Olsen sat back down. "Ok..so where were you again the night Ben was shot? " Jack told him that he was home with his wife, son and brother watching the Giants game, " And in case it has escaped your keen powers of observation..I HAVE A CAST ON MY LEG!...I could hardly get away unnoticed." Olsen smirked,"Oh I noticed..I also noticed all the zeros in your bank account..that can buy someone to do it for you." Jack laughed and shook his head, " But the other agent just told me your finances are clean. So I guess we are done...for now." Jack frowned, " Really?..Let me guess this is were you tell me not to leave town...right?" Olsen got up and walked out, stopping at the door he turned and said, " Your free to go." Steve was standing there when Olsen walked out, " What the hell was that all about? " Olsen shrugged, " Routine..you know that. Besides nobody really considered him..but I had to throw it out there."



It had been a long day at work...he really needed a beer. Ben walked into his usual place and walked up to the bar sliding between a woman and and a man. " Hey Sal..give me a cold one will ya." Sal looked surprised, " What no seven and seven?" Ben shook his head, " No..I am really in the mood for a cold beer.." The man to his right got up and Ben slid onto the bar stool. Turning his head to survey the room, he stopped on a face just past the woman to his right .With a genuine smile on his face he said " Oh hey man..how are you?" as he reached over with an open hand. Dean shook his hand," Well hello Agent Todd.." Ben flagged down Sal, " Let me buy you a drink..You come here a lot? " Dean told him that he does..but usually later on in the evening. " I have never seen you here before..I come in here quite a bit too..few drinks after work..well you know." Then to the woman sitting between them, " Oh I am so sorry..I didn't mean to be rude. Perhaps you would like to switch seats so I don't bother you." The woman laughed, " No thanks..I an fine here...besides I am sure it wouldn't matter, I am guessing you would bother me from there just as much." Ben stared at her eyes wide, Dean laughed, " Before you say anything ...this is my wife ..Angela." Ben bought them a round of drinks and they chatted about a number of things, Ben was careful to avoid asking about Sara. He liked Dean and thought that they could be friends, he had a few close friends from the FBI, but it would be nice to have a pal that didn't work with him..it helps sometimes to distance yourself from your job, he had been told, or you become your job. He already was his job..maybe making a new friend could stop it. They talked sports for a while but every chance she got Dean's wife would insult him. After a very curvy blonde tried to talk to Ben, Angela made a comment. " Don't let us keep you from your evenings conquests." Dean shook his head, "Babe, come on...I'll be right back..order me another beer..and some nachos." Ben was staring at his bottle, " You know..you aren't even giving me a chance." Angela laughed, " A chance for what? Listen ...my husband is a big boy..he can be friends with whoever he wants to be and I don't have to like them." Ben shook his head, " Okay..fine by me..but just for the record..I am not a Man Whore." Angela froze mouth open, how did he know that? There were only three people in the room when she said that and neither Sara or Dean would have told him that. She turned and looked at him, " You met Robbie." Ben swallowed hard, "Damn" he thought, he did not intend to get the kid in trouble. "Robbie.." he said casually sipping his beer, " Who's that?" She just stared at him, then with a loud exhale, " Okay..yeah I met the kid when I came by to ask Sara out again. Look..I don't want the kid to get into trouble..obviously he never mentioned meeting me..so, please don't say anything." She looked at him for awhile until he looked back at her, his expression asking her "What?" Angela smirked, " I won't say anything but...how did you know it was me?" He told her that Robbie said his Aunt had said it. He had mentioned Uncle Dean so he just assumed. She wanted to know why he hadn't asked about Sara all evening. "Because I like your husband..I am not to ask him to get in the middle." From that point on Angela backed off and allowed herself to like Ben. Then she happen to look at the door. " Uh oh..don't look now." Sara came in with a date. Ben looked then faced forward again. Angela saw his expression change..he seemed a bit sad..and she felt sorry for him. Sara saw her friends and stuck her head in by Ben..not noticing him. "Hey!..I didn't know you guys were coming here tonight." Angela told her they hadn't plan on staying this long but they ran into someone and have been having a good time so they stayed. Ben turned sideways to look at her, " Oh...Hello Agent Todd." Ben smiled, " Hello Miss Jamison. Let me buy you and your date a drink." Sara declined saying they were going to sit down for dinner.Ben leaned in close to her, " Please..I insist." Then Ben stood to his full height and leaned outward to get a look at her date. " Oh hell.." then leaning back to Sara said, " On second thought I may rescind that offer." Then standing back up, " DA Stewart.." The other man..nicely dressed and handsome smiled, " Agent Todd...nice to see you." Ben faced forward and after a few minutes Sara's date asked Ben, " How's your case coming? " Ben clenched his jaw, the DA had interfered in an ongoing investigation and Ben lost his only witness. "If I were you I would wipe that smug look off your face." The standing tall with a big smile he said," Unless you'd like me to do it for you? No?..maybe another time." After they left Angela noticed Ben was tense. " Relax.. this is only the second time she's been out with him..the first wasn't even really a date." Ben smirked, then watched Sara and Stewart go on the dance floor. Ben squinted and then swallowed the last of his beer and began turning away. Angela grabbed his arm, "Don't..don't do it." Ben looked at her, " Do what?" She sighed, "Cut in on their dance."



Sara sat back down at the table as Olsen walked in. " Just perfect." she said. "Hello Sara..I guess Vic has already asked you most of the questions.." Sara squinted at him, " I am sure you must really be pushing this angle...you would love nothing more than to ruin Ben's reputation." Nate smiled, "Not at all..I agree with everyone else around here..he would never do anything like that..he's Captain America after all. No I had my own theory but so far it isn't working out..but you never know." Sara frowned, " Really? What theory might that be?" Nate leaned back, " I really liked your husband for this." Sara leaned on the table, " Of course YOU would. It keeps you from doing any actual investigative work. Maybe you did it..professional and personal jealousy, god knows you have tried to get him killed before. " she said sitting back folding her arms in front of her again. Nate's face turned dark as he glared at Sara. " As a matter of fact..I don't want you working his case..I don't want you anywhere near him..I think they should be looking at you for this." Nate was burning but trying not to show it..it wasn't working. " YOU don't tell the FBI what to do. I am on this case and there is nothing you can do about that." Steve and Jack were standing at the door Nate had left it open. "Wanna bet?" she said with a smirk. Sara got up and went back to the two way mirror. " You better make sure you get your copy of the Times tomorrow morning. I have one hell of a scathing article planned. Jack stepped into the doorway, "Not to mention the full page editorial to go along with it. " Sara turned at smiled at him. " Yes..our chief editor writes a hell of an editorial. I am guessing there might even be some demonstrations held outside FBI headquarters..his editorials have been know to inspire them." Nate stood up and walked to the door, " You know better then this Steve..out..both of you." He closed the door in their faces and turned quickly to Sara. " Who the hell do you think you are anyway? Trying to blackmail the FBI..I should throw you in jail.." Sara stood hands on her hips, fire in her eyes, " You don't have the guts!" Vic stood up and got between them, "Okay..that's enough...this is just a Q&A we're having here..let's all of us just calm down." The door opened and Nate swung around expecting to find Steve but found his boss instead. Agent Raymond Toomey came in. He was the commanding officer of the New York office's Criminal Investigation Department for almost twenty years. He had been Ben's boss for most of his FBI career and had personally recruited him. A stocky man standing five nine. He had salt and pepper hair and he wore it well. " Nate why don't you and Vic go grab a coffee." he said eyes on Sara. Nate turned back around and stared at Sara, " I'm good thanks anyway Boss." Toomey sighed, " Nate? " Olsen turned around and looked at his boss," Yeah? " Toomey stepped into the room and pulled out a chair. He sat down and clasped his hands in front of him. "Get out.." he said in a monotone. Nate stared at Sara who gave him a little wave, he stormed out behind Vic and slammed the door. Sara sat across from Toomey. "Hello Sara..It's nice to see you again..I am sorry it was under these circumstances." Sara softened up a bit, " Hello Ray..Please tell me you are not seriously pursuing these "theories". How can you even entertain the idea of Ben being dirty? As for that insane idea that my husband had anything to do with this..." Toomey held up his hand, " Relax Sara..take a breath would you? We have to look into Ben..it's SOP. Nobody in this entire Bureau who has ever met Ben would believe that..but if we don't do it..it looks suspicious..you can see that..right? " Sara shrugged her shoulders. " And as for Jack Deveraux..I think that was more about Nate screwing with you...I will talk to him about that, but again..in theory...it was a viable option to investigate. Sara..you have got to know..that I will leave no stone..however small or remote...unturned to find out who did this to Ben...you know what I think of him." Sara relaxed a bit, " Yeah..I know how the Bureau works..it's hard to be objective here. Ray..I do not want Nate on his case..I don't trust him..never have...never will." Ray shook his head, " Sara..Ben is a senior field agent..it's all hands on deck for this one..you know that. I will keep him away from you and your husband though." Sara sat up, " And Robbie..I do not want him talking about this to Robbie." Ray covered her hand with his, " How is he doing? I know how important he was to Ben, and I could see how important Ben was to him..he must be very upset, I understand he has never left the hospital since this all happened." Sara frowned, " IS...He IS important to Ben and Ben IS important to him...present tense. He is very shaken up...understandably...we all are." Ray nodded, " Yes ..of course..well thanks for coming in..I promise you..I will keep Nate away from the hospital and your family. "



Jack and Steve watched Ray walk out of the office with Sara and he hugged her, " Keep in touch Sara." he said. Jack hobbled over to his wife, " You okay? " She nodded, " Yeah..I am fine." Jack hugged her, " So? Am I writing an editorial tonight or not?" Sara smiled and pulled back from him. Grabbing his tie and pulling him down to her face kissed him, " No..I don't think that is going to be necessary. Nate won't be bothering us again...and I believe him when he says that they are done looking into Ben. He said they are going to start investigating the people Ben has put away next." Steve put his hand on Jack's shoulder and leaned into them, " Obviously they have no idea that Ben was tapped to investigate THEM..so who do we start with? " Sara and Jack looked at each other.. and Jack smirked at his wife, " Agent Nate Olsen...of course."



Ben could feel the pressure of Angela's hand on his arm and the coolness of the beer as it slid down his throat...he was reliving this night....



"Why not? " Angela shook her head, "Because she is expecting that. The way you have been pursuing her..." Ben frowned, " So I should do it.." Dean leaned over.." Seriously dude? Even I know that's why you shouldn't." Angela shook her head. She told him that if he didn't do what Sara expected she would spend the night trying figure out why he didn't. " Even now she keeps glancing over his shoulder at you...waiting." Ben went to look and Angela told him not to let her see him doing it. " Babe I think the guy knows a little bit about surveillance." Dean said making his wife laugh, "True..sorry." Ben looked at her skeptically, " Why would you tell me this stuff...you don't even like me?" Angela's face softened, " I changed my mind...hey..it is a woman's prerogative." Ben watched Sara from the corner of his eye. She glanced over several times and when they walked back to their table she looked over to him with a small frown...giving him butterflies in his stomach. Why did this woman do this to him..he wondered. "Okay so now what?" he asked Angela. She told him not to have any contact with Sara and after a few days..he will casually run into her, like at lunchtime and he is not to mention seeing her on the date. " First of all how am I going to casually meet her? " Angela told him she would call him and tell him where she was. " Here's the thing...if she makes a point of telling you she isn't seeing this guy ..you know..working it into the conversation that it was just a date..she is giving you the green light ..then she really is interested in you." Ben frowned, " And if she doesn't? " Dean leaned in, " If she doesn't then she wants you to think that she is involved with this guy so you leave her alone." Angela nodded, " And if that is the case..nothing you can say or do is going to get her to go out with you." A few days later Ben got a call..." It's zero hour...the hen is the coup. Go to Murphy's deli on tenth avenue." Ben looked at the receiver, " Who the hell is this? " Angela sighed into the phone, "Seriously? It's Angela..Sara is going to Murphy's for their potato soup. I thought all you spies knew code...geez." Ben laughed out loud, " I am not a spy..besides you are suppose to work out the code before hand. Okay..I am on my way..wish me luck." After waiting in his car for a while and watching Sara move up the line a bit..he went in. Once again this was a place he went to quite a bit. Sara turned to find him next to her, " Oh..hello Agent Todd." Ben looked down and smiled, " Well hello Miss Jamison.." Sara eyed him with suspicion, she asked him if he came there a lot. "Tuesday is potato soup...I love potato soup." Sara frowned, " Me too.." The girl behind the counter smiled, " Hey Ben..the usual? " Ben smiled and nodded,"Large today..I'm hungry. " Ben watched Sara from the corner of his eye, " So...you seemed to have a good time the other night with MY friends." Ben glanced down at her, " Yeah..I ran into them at the bar and we started talking..they are really people..I like them." Again Sara made a face, "You don't seem to like DA Stewart though..have you worked with him a lot?" Ben hid a smile, " Let's just say I know him..and leave it at that." Sara nodded. She was debating what to do. She was curious why he was being so cold to her..had he given up.. finally losing interest or was it that he thought she was involved with Stewart..." I don't know him that well myself..I had ran into him at the diner across from the courthouse..it was crowded and he invited me to sit with him. It gave me a chance to ask him about that triple homicide case he was prosecuting." Ben's heart was racing, " Lucky for you.." he said as they approached the counter. " It was..except he didn't tell me much. He asked me out and..well that was the date you saw us on." That was it ! Angela had been right...she was interested in him..she just gave him the green light. His heart beat fast and he tried not to act over anxious. He turned and looked down at her as she ordered, " Put the ladies soup on my tab too Cathy." then to Sara, " So you aren't involved with him? " he asked casually. Sara smirked, " Oh thanks..with who DA Stewart? No..not at all." Ben paid the cashier and handed Sara her soup.." Well then ...perhaps you would reconsider having dinner with me?" Sara took the soup container and looked up at him and sighed. " I might be agreeable to that."



Jack and Sara found Robbie sitting in Ben's room, feet up on t an overturned wastebasket..eyes closed. His eyes popped open when he heard them enter the room. " Hey..where have you two been?" Jack and Sara looked at each other and Sara nodded to Jack. He told Robbie all about being at the FBI and what they had asked them. Robbie shot out of the chair, "What?..They asked you what?..How could they think those things about you and Ben? I am going down there.." he went towards the door and Jack stopped him, " There's no need..we have been assured they are dropping both theories and moving on." Robbie looked at his father then to his mother. " I talked to Ray Toomey myself..I believed him." Robbie blew out a long breath. " Ok..if you say so..it must be true." Sara gave a small laugh, " Wow..I haven't heard that line in a long time." Robbie smiled, " I know..I have been sort of..gliding in and out of the past the last few days." She hugged her son, " Yeah I know..we all have." Robbie pulled back and looked from Sara to Jack, " Okay..so what direction of investigating are you two looking at? " Jack smiled, " Well Uncle Steve is working the FBI angle and your mother has another idea." Sara frowned at Jack, " It is going to take some time to work out...I need all kinds of permission but..I think I need to have a face to face with Rossetti."

[fluffysmom]

I hope they figure out who the crooked agents are soon. Wake up Ben!

[blueyed358]

Chapters 121 and 122


" I am not so sure about you going to see Rossetti either. I think Jackson is right.. maybe I should go." Steve said. Sara shook her head, " No way..you are a Fed..he isn't going to tell you anything...and before you start, he doesn't know you Jack..he won't even see you." Jack stood hands on his hips, " What makes you think he is going to see you!" Sara rolled her eyes, " Because I did an in depth interview with him after he was sent to prison. He will remember me....trust me." Jack tried to pace but the cast made it difficult, Max , who usually paces the floor with him only stood at his side and moved his head from side to side watching him. " No..it's too risky..I don't like it..even Steve thinks this is a bad idea." Sara laughed, " Don't drag your brother into this..he did tell you to try and talk me out of it right? " she yelled at Steve. He opened his mouth but Jack started yelling too, " I did no such thing. The man is a professional..let him HANDLE it." Steve held up his hand, " Ok..now let's just talk about this.." Sara squinted, " Oh and I am not a professional..is that what you're saying. Maybe if Billie Reed were here she could go and do it." Steve smirked and Jack frowned, " I know you are a professional..a professional reporter..not a cop. You stick to research and let Steve handle the criminals...and What the hell does Billie Reed have to do with this?" Steve cleared his throat, " Yeah..well...I am going to head out..." Sara turned her back to Jack then swung back around, " This has nothing to do with whether or not I CAN get the information..this just the same old song..you trying to tell me what I can or can't do." Steve eased his way out of the room, and he was gone. Max decided to leave as well and after a few short barks, ran into the kitchen. They watched as he left and Sara yelled after, " Where do you think you're going dog.." Jack turned his head to her quickly, " Don't yell at him and don't call him dog he's a canine!" Sara rolled her eyes, " Dog! Dog..dog..dog!" Jack smirked and shook his head, " You are acting like a child Sara. Now..let's discuss this in a civilized manor. As your husband and editor, I must insist that you not do this interview..or whatever it is you wish to call it. If he is indeed involved in the attempt on Ben's life he could conceivable come after you or any of us next." Sara again rolled her eyes again, which mad Jack even more angry. "Will you stop doing that. You know what..forget it..if you want to act like a child ..I will treat you like a child. You will not do this and I have the means to make sure you don't. I will not call the prison and try to get you the access you wish..end of discussion." Jack tried to walk out of the room but Sara walked in front of him, " Don't you hobble away from me Jack Deveraux. Okay..I have been acting childish..but you ..you are trying to bully me. How many times are we going to have this fight? We both agreed we were going to help Steve find out who did this and why..now you are trying to keep me from doing my job." Jack grabbed her arms, " This is not your job! It is not your job to paint a giant bullseye on your back! You promised me that you were going to stop doing that. I would think that after all that had just happen you MIGHT want to stay out of harms way..at least for a while." Sara pulled from Jack's grasp. " We owe him..I owe him. You weren't on that train..you don't know he did for me..what he was willing to do for me. Jack..he got beaten for me..he could have gotten away but he was willing to stay on that train and die with me. We don't even know if Rossetti has anything to do with this. I don't think that he does..but I do think he might know who is...and I think you are jumping to conclusions." Jack put his hands on his hips and looked at the floor. " I very well may be...and I understand that you feel you owe him. I owe him too..but I don't owe him your life. " Jack sighed and rubbed his forehead. " What happened on that train Sara..between the two of you? Is there something I need to know? " Sara flopped on the sofa, "No..Jack..if this were Jennifer..tell me you wouldn't do whatever needed to be done. Just once..I wish you would trust my instincts..I am telling you..Rossetti is not involved in this..I feel it." Jack took his crutches and went to the bar. " I am sure I would do what ever is necessary...and I do trust your instincts..but I am getting tired of this. Maybe ..just maybe there is a part of you that thinks he is dirty..or was dirty and you need to prove otherwise..to prove you couldn't be wrong. " Sara stood up, "You are tired of this..well so am I...in fact I am sick to death of you trying to tell me what I can or can't do. You never discuss..you boss. I am your wife first then your employee. And did I miss something? When did this become an argument about Ben? I don't need to prove anything.. maybe you just want it to be true. " Jack shook his head as he drank his scotch, " No..I don't...if only for our son's sake. I don't believe he has done anything wrong either..as I said before..I am tired of this. You have no consideration for my concerns as your husband or your editer..do as you please..you always do." He walked down the hallway pausing when he heard Max's nails on the wood floor behind him. Jack went into his den and closed the door behind him shutting her out. Sara sighed, she knew he was right about a lot of it. But he was wrong too..Rossetti was no danger to them..she wish she could make him understand. She needed to do this..she knew in her heart that the person who tried to kill Ben would come after him again. He had seen the assailant and he could not be allowed to wake up. If she could get a lead on why..maybe she could find out who. Why couldn't Jack just talk to her about his concerns right from the beginning. Instead he used his brother and then tried to tell her what to do. If he had discussed it first she could have told him her thoughts and maybe he would have agreed with her...now they were both hurt and angry. Sara needed air..she couldn't breath, she got up and taking her purse left the apartment.



Jack woke up that morning with a stiff back from sleeping on the sofa in his den. Their bedroom door was opened so he knew Sara was up already. So with a large sigh he and Max made their way into the kitchen, more then likely for round two. The coffee was already made and there were eggs and bacon in platters on the counter. Jack smirked, at least she saved him breakfast..that was something. He put a plate on the table for himself and hopped over to the pantry to fill Max's bowl. After placing the bowl down, Max's ears perked up and he ran to the front door. Jack sighed and grabbed his crutches " Thanks..I'll get the door." he muttered. Sara lifted her coffee cup to her lips, " You do that" she uttered. Jack stopped at the kitchen door for a second to glare at her. He got to the door and found Steve there. " Good morning Jackson..thought I should stop by and make sure a double homicide hadn't been committed." Jack made his way back to the kitchen, " No..we are both still breathing." Sara looked up and said good morning to Steve, " Would you like some breakfast? " Steve declined but took a cup of coffee. He watched his brother and Sara eat without a word to the other. "Hey..I am really sorry about last night.." he said. Sara lifted her fork to her mouth, " Don't be silly Steve, it's not your fault that your brother tried to use you to manipulate his wife." Jack pulled the fork from his mouth. " Yes..she's right. It's not your fault that my wife can't believe that someone might agree with me of their own free will." Steve looked at them both over the rim of his mug. " Yeah..well maybe I should have kept my opinion to myself." Jack swallowed his coffee, " No need..we welcome everyone's opinion around here..provided that the opinion isn't mine..or that they agree with my wife." Sara sighed, " There is never a violin around when you need one. Tell me something Steve do you discuss things with Kayla or do you just dictate to her what she is going to do? I ask this because I am just trying to determine if this is a Johnson family trait or a Deveraux trait." Steve felt like he was watching a tennis match, his head moved back to look at Jack..it was his serve. " Luckily for him his wife never gets herself into life threatening situations under the guise of her job. He doesn't need to worry that she is heading for an early grave." Sara stood up and dropped her plate into the sink, " Keep it up Deveraux..that early grave just may be yours!" and with those words she left the room. Steve opened his mouth and Jack held up his hand, then pointed to the door as Sara slammed the front door closed. Steve chuckled and then he studied Jack as he continued to finish his breakfast. "You surprise me Jackson.." Jack lifted his cup, "How so?" Steve smirked, "The old Jack would be nervous..worried about having a big fight with his woman...but there you sit calm as a cucumber." Jack frowned and moved his finger around. "This... this is nothing.. Sara and I have had some HUGE arguments. We had this one back in college.. well needless to say we each lit the others term papers on fire and had to spend the rest of the night and most of the morning rewriting them. It will pass..it always does." Steve smiled , how proud he was of his brother and how far he had come in his personal life.



Sara stopped by the hospital, she wanted Robbie to eat and shower. She relieved him from his bedside vigil and sat staring at Ben. " You have to wake up now Ben." She leaned forward, taking his hand. "If you don't I don't what is going to happen. They may end up smearing you..ruining your reputation and that is the very least. Someone out there wants you dead..and they are going to come back to finish the job. Steve and Jack and I are running our own investigation..but we need your help. Robbie needs you...I can't even begin to imagine what it would do to him if you..Ben..I need you too..you are one of five or six people in my life that I love and trust completely. Help me..help us protect you..please.." The fight with Jack, the stress and worry about Robbie and Ben came flooding out of her..she hated crying in front of anyone..and rarely did it..even in front of Jack. But alone in this room with only the beeping of the machines, she let go. Sara began weeping her head resting on Ben's lap. He didn't know why but he knew he was upset..all he heard was her voice pleading him. His hand came up for a second only..and rubbed his fingers through her hair. Sara sat up..nothing..his eyes were still closed..arms down at his sides. She felt it ...she knew she did. " Ben?..Ben..come on ..I know you moved! Open your eyes..move your hands..something!" She watched him...nothing. Sara got up and ran past the guard to the nurses station, " Will you please page Doctor Johnson for me."



Kayla shined lights in Ben's eyes. " I am sorry Sara..I can't see any improvement..sometimes in our despair we think.." Sara shook her head, " No..no..I am telling you..he moved." Kayla continued to check Ben. " It is possible...I was going to talk to you about this anyway. The longer he stays on life support the more dependent his body will become. If you really believe that he moved..maybe now would be a good time to take him off and see if he can sustain himself." Robbie got nervous,"No..what if he can't..he could die..I won't take that chance." Kayla spoke calmly, " We won't let that happen..if his stats don't stabilize..we will put him right back on." Robbie shook his head and began pacing. " Robert..he moved I know he did. " He stopped and looked down at his mother, " You think I should let them try?" She nodded, " I do..we have to try and do something." Robbie turned to Kayla, " You won't let him die?" Kayla took Robbie's hand, " Of course not.."





Kayla, another doctor and two nurses stood around Ben as Robbie and Sara looked on. They removed the tube and readied themselves to rush it back in. His heart rate and breathing stats began dropping fast.. Robbie grabbed his mother's hand. He began shaking his head, " That's enough..put it back...put it back! " Kayla spoke softly, " A few more minutes..we have to make sure he won't even off." Still the numbers went down. " No..I said that's enough..put it back in..you're killing him!" Sara wrapped her arms around her son, " Honey please..I know this is hard..but they have to know." The numbers clicked down rapidly..then more slowly..then finally stopped. Ben's number's had evened off and he was breathing on his own..his heart was beating and he was still alive. Robbie crumpled into the arm chair, " Thank god.." Sara whispered as she kissed her son on the top of his head. Kayla told them that he was not out of the woods yet..he was still in a coma..and might never come out of it. After she left, Robbie turned to his mother with a smile, " He'll wake up..I am sure of it now." Sara exhaled, she hoped he was right, but now the potential for another attempt on his life seemed greater.



" Damn it! This guy just won't die." the voice said. "He is still in a coma..the doctors say he may never wake up." The voice laughed, " Are you kidding me..that guy will not only live but wake up just to spite us. I wan't this over...Kill him..and do it soon..I don't want his eyes to ever open again."







Chapter 122



Jack was pounding away at the keys of his computer. He was busy getting the paper ready for tomorrow and trying to help do research on Agent Olsen. Sara and Steve had found nothing so far but that didn't mean anything. All were impatient but knew that they had to move slowly and methodically. He and Sara had yet to truly make up but the ice was beginning to thaw. The itch beginning again he stuck his hangar back down the cast, "Ahh..just a few more days." he kept reminding himself. Dinner was over and Sara was returning from walking Max. She came back in and took the leash of him and he trotted back over to Jack laying at his feet. Sara had to go to the hospital to meet Robbie and go over the tests the doctors had run on Ben a few days before. Kayla always made their meetings at night so Sara could be there with Robbie. As she passed Jack to go to the kitchen she casually asked, " Would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee before I leave?" Jack looked up, " Yes..thank you." As she passed he grabbed her arm, she stopped then sighing looked down at him. Jack tugged on her arm and she leaned down and they kissed..the first one in days. " I love you Sara." She smiled, " Yeah..I know..and I love you too..that's probably why we fight." As he listened to her in the kitchen, he knew that it was over and tonight they would make up..completely. Sara served him his coffee and grabbed her bag and keys and headed for the door. She stopped and turned back around, walked over to Jack and kissed him again, " I will be back in a little while." Jack smiled, " I will be here..waiting for you." Sara smiled and left the apartment. Ten minutes later Jack heard a phone ringing. He hopped over to the sofa and found Sara's cell." It must have fallen out of her purse" he thought. The caller ID said "Angie" so he answered it. " Jack? Why are you answering Sara's phone? " He explained and said, " Can I help you with anything? " Angela sighed, " No forget it..I was hoping to catch her before she left. I will just go meet her at the hospital..thanks."



Robert had come back from having dinner with Katie. She went to meet her mother but was trying to be back for the meeting with the doctors. " Hey..I'm back." he said to Ben...no movements..no eye movement..nothing. Robbie blew out a breath. He opened the water bottle he had left on the tray and took a big gulp. " So what do you want to talk about tonight?" After a few minutes Robbie began to feel hot, " Whoa..it's warm in here.." He took another drink of water. Then the room began spinning, he looked at the bottle in his hand, " Oh god...stupid.." he said as he threw it across the floor. " No.." He tried to get up and get to the door, to call the guard but as he got up..he passed out. Outside a pretty nurse who had been flirting with the guard all day, handed him a coffee. When he slumped over she removed the cup from his hand and propped him up and walked into Ben's room. She stepped over Robbie and opened the window. She left Ben's room checked the guard again and slipped into the stairway unseen. It was change of shift in the hospital so everyone was busy and didn't even notice...the perfect time to commit murder...



The elevator doors opened and she checked her wrist watch. She smiled, " I have ten minutes to spare.." she thought. When she approached Ben's door she saw the guard. She shook him but he never opened his eyes, " Call the police!" she shouted. Bursting through the door she found Robbie on the floor, " Oh god no Robbie!" She was at his side checking his pulse, she looked up to see the figure all in black..head to toe. It looked almost like a shadow. This shadow held a pillow over Ben's face. They locked eyes..she could feel Robbie's sidearm, quickly she pulled it out and shot twice before the shadow was on top of her. The figure was hit in the shoulder but undeterred. After having the gun knocked from her hand, she tried to crawl to the door but the figure was on top of her again.



The gun shots sent everyone scrambling. Security was called and they rushed into Ben's room. They found Robbie unconscious and Ben with a pillow over his face..but clinging to life. Then they saw the legs sticking out of the bathroom door. A doctor pushed his way in, " I need help here. " Security helped him pull the woman out and lay her on the floor as the doctor checked her. " She's dead..her neck has been broken." The police came in and surveyed the scene, checking the woman's body for ID. An officer removed her wallet from her purse, " This officer Nelson..I have a homicide and attempted homicide over at St Luke's....the victim's name is..Angela Michaels."

[fluffysmom]

Oh no....Angela!! So heartbreaking. Everyone will be devastated.

[gapeach]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hope someone took Angela's ID and she is fine.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 123





When Sara got to the hospital there were police cars and a forensics truck parked outside. Sara's heart sank..she knew..she felt it. Someone she loved was dead,but was it Robert or Ben..or both? She made her way to the 8th floor. Exiting the elevator she was stopped by an officer " I am sorry ma'am but there are no visitors allowed on this floor at this time.", her heart was pounding, "What's happened? Does this have anything to do with Agent Todd?" the panic rising in her voice. " Sara.." Vic Darrow was there, " It's ok officer..let her through." She rushed over to him, " Are they alive? Robert and Ben..are they alive?" Then she saw her son sitting in a chair outside Ben's room, a nurse taking his pulse.His face was buried in his hands, elbows on his knees and he was leaning forward. " Robert!..Honey..are you alright? What happened?" Robert lifted his face to her, his eyes were red and swollen, his nose running and tears streaming down his face. "Ben?.." was all she asked. He tried to take a deep breath , " I screwed up..Mom..I screwed up. I left my water bottle in the room and when I got back I drank from it. They put a sedative in it..knocked me out." The thought of Robert finding Ben dead made her sick to her stomach. " Robbie..don't do that to yourself..tell me..is Ben dead?" Robbie looked down and shook his head, " They tried to suffocate him..he's alive ..they had to put him on oxygen for a while... but Mom...she's dead..I am sorry.. Mom..she's dead!" The nurse told Sara how a woman had interrupted the killer, saving Ben's life and was then killed herself. Sara wrapped her arms around him as a stretcher came out of the room. Sara turned her head to see Angela's lifeless body being wheeled out of Ben's room. Her eyes opened wide, " No!..Angie!..Angie!.." she ran to the body and grabbed Angela's shoulder's. " Please..no..please...oh god..please!" Robbie had his arms around his mother but she could not feel them. All she felt was pain and loss. Robert pulled her back from the body and she collapsed to her knees, sobbing. Robert had no words..he could do nothing more then cradle his mother in his arms and cry along with her.



" Robert?..Is Robert alright?" Jack asked his brother as he talked on his cell. Steve nodded, "Yeah they are both alive..But a woman was murdered in the room..she walked in on them." Steve was repeating what was being told to him. Jack felt the panic start in the pit of his stomach then quickly spread throughout his body. He grabbed Steve by the shirt, "Sara!..Steve, Sara went there to meet the doctor!..Please..not my wife..not my wife!" Steve sighed, " Jack..it's not Sara." Jack let go of Steve's shirt and rested his hand on his shoulder, closing his eyes he blew out a huge breath. Then his mind went back to the phone call he had earlier with Angela and his eyes opened slowly, " Oh no..Steve..Angela was going down there too..it isn't.." Steve nodded slowly, " I am so sorry Jack..but it was her..it was Angela."





Vic Darrow had the unfortunate task of calling Dean down to the hospital. He did not tell him about his wife..he thought it best to tell him when he got there rather then having hit him with the news over the phone. Sara sat with Robert's arms around her, body shaking..trying to breath, her chest tight from all the crying she had done, head pounding. She was desperately trying to hold herself together. She looked up at Robbie. He was staring at the empty chair across from them. "Robert...please don't blame yourself.." Robert nodded having calmed himself down to take care of his mother." I am going to get them Mom..I swear to you..I will make them pay for what they have done to my family." Sara closed her eyes, "Dean..I can't even imagine what this is going to do to him." Jack and Steve came out of the elevator. Steve flashed his badge and Jack's eyes began scanning for them. As devastated as he was by this he could only imagine the pain his wife and son were going through. He spotted them and walked as fast as he could with his crutches over to them. Sara heard the clicking and turned her head, seeing Jack, she jumped up and ran to him. He threw his crutches down and wrapped his arms around her. "She's gone Jack..my best friend in the whole world...my sister..she's gone." Jack felt her body wrenching as she cried in his arms, her body sagging , he held her up. " I know sweetheart..I know." Then looking at Robert as he spoke with Steve, " Robert..is he alright?" Sara pulled back and dragged her hand under her nose, " He's holding up..I guess. Oh Jack...Dean is here." she said speaking softly. Steve walked over to Dean along with Vic. " Steve..Is it Ben? " Steve turned his head to the side, his heart breaking and Vic put his hand on Dean's shoulder, " Dean..I need you to come with me.." Sara took a deep breath, " I should go in there..I should be in there with him..." Jack put his arm around her, " No Sara..let them do this..we will be there for him..after." Robbie came over to his parents Sara took his hand. Then they heard him, " Noooo ! " Robbie and Sara began to cry, Jack had to turn away. His heart broken for his friend...for all of them. Steve stepped from the room and waived them over, " He needs you.." he said to Sara. Jack watched his wife as she pulled herself together. She nodded slightly and went into the room.





Dean was crying, cradling his wife. He pulled back pushing the hair from her face, " Sara...Sara...help me..help me..please..she can't be gone... she just can't be. She's still warm..feel her. Maybe they made some kind of mistake. Kayla..get Kayla. Why..why won't somebody help me!....Oh God !..please help me !.." Sara ran over to him and put her arms around him from behind as she rubbed Angela's cheek. She had no words for him. Should could not bring herself to say "It will be alright..we'll get through this.." because she didn't think it was ever going to be alright again..and she had no idea how she was going to get through this..let alone how he was going to. Angela was their rock..she always knew just what to say to help them..to make them see that it would work out or to help them except whatever happened. Now she was dead..there were no more words of wisdom or comfort from her. What was she suppose to do now? She was barely holding on..how or what was she suppose to do to help him? " What am going to do?..I don't know how to live without her in my life..Sara? What are we going to do ? " he said as he held Angela. She said the only thing she could think of "We are going to get them Dean..I promise you." It took Sara nearly half and hour to calm Dean down enough to release his wife and take the sedative that the nurse brought in. He had no idea what he was even taking..he only knew Sara begged him to, telling him it would help. With a final kiss he laid her back down. His body was heaving from the intensity at which he cried. His whole world lay there ..lifeless. That was how he felt....lifeless. He took her hand and just sat, looking at her, refusing Sara's prodding to leave. She could not sit there another minute she thought. Staring at Angela..she felt herself continually willing her to open her eyes ..to move..anything. The heaviness in her chest had spread throughout her body to the point of feeling paralyzed. She had always heard that expressions..paralyzed with fear...paralyzed with grief..now she knew that it was not just an expression..it was real. Dean's hand had a such a tight grip on Sara's that she was losing the circulation it, his other hand held on to his wife's. Sara closed her eyes..she could not keep looking at her..she was going to snap..it took all the strength she could find to hold on. Finally Jack came into the room. Dean did not even look up, he put his hand on Dean's shoulder as he saw the pleading look in Sara's eyes. " Dean..I am so sorry..." Sara felt Dean's grip beginning to loosen. His head was starting to droop, Sara and Jack looked at one another and Jack put his arm around Dean, guiding him up. "No..Jack..no..I can't leave her...Angie..." Jack swallowed hard, fighting back a sob, " I know..but there is nothing you can do for her now..you must lie down for awhile." Dean let Jack lead him to the other bed in the room, " Jack..she's gone..my wife..Angie..she's gone." Jack blinked and the tears rolled from his eyes, " I know..I know my friend..but we are going to get through this..together.." Jack guided Dean down and he was asleep before his head hit the pillow, the sedative and stress taking effect. Jack watched him for a few minutes as his body heaved and shook with every breath he took. Jack turned around to Sara, " He's asleep...Sara?" but she was gone. Jack found her sitting outside the room, head back against the wall, he looked up and saw Robert arms around Katie. He could see the pained expression on her face. He sat down next to Sara and took her hand." They will keep him over night. The sedative they gave him is going to keep him out until morning."She sighed loudly, " I want to go home now..please."





Robbie told Jack that he and Katie would watch over Dean, " Dad..don't push Mom..okay? Just let her be..she's going to shutdown now, it's the way she deals with things..you know..her mind will go all logical and she turns off her emotions. She will let you know if she needs you." After his parents left Katie looked around for Robbie. He was not with Ben but there were uniformed NYPD officers with him. He was not with Dean, who while sedated, was tossing and turning. She knew then where he was..and Katie headed for the morgue.



She found looking down over his Aunt's body, hand on her cheek. He did not need to turn around..he knew she was there. " Is this my fault? Do you think Uncle Dean will ever forgive me?" Katie walked up behind him, but knew not to touch him..not yet. " Don't be ridiculous ! This is in no way your fault. Yes..I know..you made a mistake with the water..and if you hadn't..you would be on the table next to her." Robert sighed and nodded, " She was like a mother to me when I was growing up. I never felt sorry for myself..you know?..that I didn't have my real father. I was lucky..I had two sets of parents really. Mom and then Ben..Dean and Angela. I am going to miss her more than I can possible say." Then she came to him and he turned around and hugged her. " I will find them Katie..now I need to do whatever it takes to keep them from killing Ben..or anyone else that I love."





Sara spoke not one word the entire ride home and Jack let the silence hang in the air, like the black cloud that now hung over them all. They changed for bed in silence and once in bed, she lay on her back staring up at the ceiling. Jack was on his side watching her. He so wanted to talk to her but tried to heed his son's warning. He draped his arm over her waist and she sighed. " Sara..I loved her as well." Another sigh, " Yes..I know." Jack watched her again, " Can I get you anything?..Do anything?" Without looking at him she replied, " Yes.. All I want right now is silence..can you love me enough to give me that?" Jack sighed, "Yes.."



When Sara thought that Jack had finally fell asleep, she slipped from his grasp and left the bedroom carrying a blanket and pillow. When the door closed Jack rolled onto his back and sighed loudly. Sara with Max following closely behind went out onto the balcony. She curled herself up on the outdoor sofa and began petting Max. The dog hopped onto the sofa at her feet and rested his head on her lap. Sara looked down at the dog as she pet his head. " Thanks for the silent companionship." Max snuggled against her and Sara stared up at the night sky and twinkling stars until she finally let sleep take it's hold of her. Jack watched her from the living room and when she was finally asleep he stretched out on the sofa with a blanket of his own a drifted off to sleep.