The Butterfly returns {For Tagged Only}

[Deleted]

James Reagan

tag

words

Feeling someone grip his upper arms James flinched and tried to yank himself away, his mind was not in the present time and it was obvious "It's okay, it's okay." but hearing Matt’s voice his mind latched onto the familiarity "Breathe. Just breathe." James did as commanded, taking breath after breath trying to focus his breathing, he suddenly saw Matt meeting his eyes and James found his eyes focusing on his friend’s "We're going to find her. Look at me. We're going to find her, okay?" James swallowed hard, trying to focus on Matt, focus on his surroundings, trying to ground himself "You know how this guy works now, okay. There is an entire task force who knows how this guy works and they're prepared this time. We're going to find her." James slowly and reluctantly nodded, he knew he had to focus - he was useless to anyone if he completely lost it - Tess needed him, needed them. Shakily he straightened up and gritted his teeth, he felt like his insides had been completely turned upside down - spying a bottle of water he'd earlier left on his desk he grabbed it and opening it he downed half of it.

Matthew Cole

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The agent Sofia had grabbed turned when he felt the woman grab him and stared down at her frowning “I need to ask for an Agent Burke? Officer Reagan I mean Agent Reagan said I need to ask for an Agent Burke.” the news had spread like wildfire so the agent knew who she wanted, it was no secret something was going on - a serial killer rearing his head didn't go amiss - he had his phone out already so he hit speed dial and placed the phone to his ear, after a moment it clicks and the agent glanced at Sofia “Burke, it's Mark there’s a woman here for you, yes sir” he removed the phone from his ear and hitting hang up he indicated her to walk to the desk with him “He’s on his way down” reaching the desk the Agent indicated for something and the receptionist reached into a box and took out an ID, she signed on the form in front of her and held the ID out towards Sofia just as the elevator dinged and Burke strode out “Thanks Mark” he said to the agent who nodded and stepped away to continue what he was doing. Burke pulled open the entrance gate and beckoned to Sofia “I'm Special Agent Burke, This way” he said quietly.

Dr Sofia Austin

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(Note: Tess Walker - Amy, A Mark post will come for Tess next post - need to get Sofia upstairs with everyone first for this to work hehehehehehe)

notes

♡

[Dr Sofia Austin]

His frown would be knocked right off his face she thought if he refused to help her. FBI or not Sofia had no time to act polite and proper. No she needed to find James or Burke or someone who knew what was going on before she went insane herself. She kept dialling Tess and yet there was no answer, no call or text from her friend. It had to simply be that she was on a case working.

Sofia followed the man to the desk and nodded when he said he was on the way down. At last some answers she thought not sure if she wanted to just head to wherever the agent was or to wait for another second. Sofia took the ID that was handed to her as she glanced at the elevator when it dinged. “Dr Austin, do you know what’s happening?” She said at a million miles an hour as she followed Burke to wherever they were going.

Tess was hardly involved with the feds, in fact James was the one involved and she had spoken to him on the phone. He was okay, he sounded bad but what was going on. Her mind was screaming that she was too tired to deal with this and yet there she was trying to work out why she was in a federal building and why she was being led around by an Agent Burke. What was going on?

[Matthew Cole]

James looked into Matt's eyes and began breathing. He seemed to be taking in what Matt was telling him and began to ground himself. After a moment he straitened up and Matt released the supporting grip he had on his arms and watching as he downed half a bottle of water.

"It's ok, just keep breathing." He said, patting James on the shoulder before turning to Burke Jnr, "So what's the plan of action here?" He asked, a little stress coming through in his voice.

He was keeping it together as best he could considering the fact that he had gone to work as normal this morning and now suddenly found himself in an FBI building being told one of his friends had been kidnapped.
 
Matt knew that this was the FBI's gig but Tess was with PD so she was one of theirs so naturally Matt wanted to know what the heck was happening.

When had Tess been taken? Did they have any leads? Did PD even know she was missing yet? So many questions. He didn't want to slow anyone down asking them all but right now he just wanted to know that something was being done right now.

He turned his head back to James keeping an eye on him, "What do you have so far?" He asked, "Do you have any leads?"

Tag: @james , Tess Walker , Anyone.

[Deleted]

James Reagan

tag: Dr Sofia Austin, Matthew Cole, Tess Walker

words

“Dr Austin, do you know what’s happening?” Burke hit the button for the elevator as he glanced uneasily at Sofia, he would rather not tell her a single thing, but he didn’t have to - James was upstairs, he’d handle it, right? The doors dinged open and Burke indicated for Sofia to go first, once both were in he hit the button for their required floor.

James gritted his teeth, he’d seen Burke had gone so figured Sofia had arrived "It's ok, just keep breathing." he nodded slowly "So what's the plan of action here?" "What do you have so far?" "Do you have any leads?" James regarded Matt, shaking his head slightly, he couldn't answer - Burke had the words, not James.

A few minutes later Burke and Sofia's lift arrived on their floor and Burke led the way out to the bullpen.

As Burke entered with Sofia James’ computer began to beep with an incoming ‘live feed’ notification and frowning James moved over to look at his computer ‘no’ he mumbled shaking his head as he stared down at it, as it persisted to ring James gulped and clicked it - his screen immediately filled with the grinning face of Mark “YOU TOOK YOUR TIME!” he laughed before stepping back revealing Tess over his shoulder "You're just in time to watch my show" his words were chilling.

“Trace, now” Burke hissed hearing Mark’s voice as it boomed around the room, James suddenly saw Sofia and gulped.

notes

♡

[Dr Sofia Austin]

Sofia shook her head when Agent Burke asked her if she knew what was happening. How could she know because James had told her not to stop anywhere and just get to the federal building to talk to Burke. Sofia wanted answers, she was worried about her friend who still refused to pick up her phone and James was worried. The man had a tone in his voice that spelled trouble no matter what and Tess was involved in this.

Stepping out of the elevator Sofia saw James and another guy stood with him. Following Burke to the bull pen Sofia just wanted to know what was going on with everyone. She glanced at the beeping computer, no this was unfair if this was some Skype call about pizza and beers she swore she would end that computers life faster than anyone could answer that call. She came to a stop looking at the face that filled the screen, the man looked happy and was laughing.

What was this? Nursery? She hardly had time for games she thought until she saw her friend over his shoulder when the guy stepped back. Sofia stared at James in complete shock, “What show?” She asked taking a few steps toward James, “What’s going on here? Why’s Tess there?” She asked knowing where her mind was heading but Sofia hardly liked it.

No James would fix this, he would know what was going on she thought as she reached out for him though the gulp said more than she wanted to understand. “Tess!” Sofia said into the screen not wanting to lose sight of her friend for a moment, no this had to be a dream. It was a long shift, she would wake up and it would all just be a tired nightmare that scared her half to death. It had to be because if this was reality, she wanted to be asleep for this.

@james, Matthew Cole, Tess Walker

[Tess Walker]

It was like a nightmare that wouldnt stop, there was no end to this no magic button to press and all she could hear was the ringing on the computer screen. ‘Don’t answer, don’t answer’ she prayed though as soon as she heard Mark’s voice she knew he had done just that. Was she mad at James for answering the call yes, could she blame him for it no because she would have done the same thing if they had swapped places. Still her mind was fighting the urge to scream as she heard his laugh as she watched Mark step back.

She might have been able to handle it a lot better had she just seen James but on the screen it wasn’t just him, there was Matt there too. The guy she had almost been burned alive with and then Sofia, what was this emotional torture day courtesy of the FBI? “Just turn the screen off and do whatever it is you’re going to. Or did you forget what that was?” Tess snapped at Mark still deciding that she couldnt let anyone see she was scared out of her own mind, especially not Mark either. “See James isn’t bothered, you’ve got the wrong woman for this.” Tess added trying her best to smile at the camera.

Tess didnt want people to see her like that, least of all without a smile on her face no matter what. This was a nightmare but this had been James’ nightmare, the one thing that had driven him away and caused him to lose his wife. Tess didnt want to be the reason for a second round at that, it was why she was saying what she was. Tess just hoped that James could understand that, if she had Mark thinking he didnt care it had to be easier all around? It had to be right as she stared at Matt and Sofia.

“Just walk away and leave me, don’t go down this rabbit hole again. The guy’s an idiot he’ll slip up.” Tess stated not wanting anyone else to get hurt to do the same as James, Mark had a way of getting into people’s heads and she wasn’t going to be his excuse for that.

Tag: @james, Matthew Cole, Dr Sofia Austin

[Matthew Cole]

James shook his head simply unable to make a reply and give any answers, but Matt could understand that given what was going on and what he had been through with his wife. But frustratingly Burk left the room without answering either, leaving Matt wondering what was going on and what action was going to be taken.

Stress and worry began building up inside of him as people flitted about around him and James busily. Everyone was on 'go', but seriously what was the plan? What was going on? What could he do to help?

A moment later Burk returned, only now he had a woman with him who looked like she was even more unsure about the situation than Matt was. But before anyone could say a word James' computer began to beep. Matt instantly looked and saw the notification on the screen as it kept on beeping.

“No.”

Hearing the way James mumbled and seeing the expression on his face as he shook his head like that told Matt that this could only be bad. Very bad.

Suddenly a face filled the screen and the beeping was replaces with a sickening laugh that filled the room.

“YOU TOOK YOUR TIME!”

Matt silently braced himself for whatever was about to happen as he briefly but firmly squeezed James on the shoulder as if to say 'hold it together'.

"You're just in time to watch my show"

Matt's stomach sank and his colour turned a little paler when Mark took a step back.

“Trace, now”

The order was instantaneous so was the response as people jumped into action.

“Just turn the screen off and do whatever it is you’re going to. Or did you forget what that was?”

Matt and Sofia's expressions must have been book ends of of pale, confused and concerned faces as they stood near James and looked into the screen and saw Tess over Mark's shoulder as he backed away from the camera.

“See James isn’t bothered, you’ve got the wrong woman for this.”

At least Tess didn't appear to have been harmed in anyway yet. And she was keeping herself together, for the camera at least, that was a good thing. It meant Mark hadn't gotten to her yet.

“What show?” “What’s going on here? Why’s Tess there?”

Matt instantly turned his head to Sofia, she was obviously confused and had no idea what was going on. He understood that she wanted answers but right now wasn't the time while a psychotic murderer was on the line live!
He quickly took her by the upper arms and guided her a couple of steps away from James so that James could concentrate on keeping mark on the line...as well as trying to prevent attention being drawn to Sofia's concern while Tess was attempting to downplay her own importance as way of a survival tactic.

“Just walk away and leave me, don’t go down this rabbit hole again. The guy’s an idiot he’ll slip up.”

Matt didn't know if Tess was just saying that for Mark's sake or if she actually meant it for real, but he knew that hell would freeze over before they would just walk away.

This was so messed up. Seriously, what wires were loose in this guy's brain that would make him do this? Make him keep doing this to James?
Matt wanted to call out through the screen and tell Tess that everything was gonna be alright and to also tell Mark a few home truths, but he couldn't. He had to keep it zipped and let James and the task force handle this call...for as long as he could control himself for anyway.

He glanced up from the screen to try and see how the agents were getting on with the trace before turning his eyes back to the screen, watching to see what was happening.

Tag: @james, Dr Sofia Austin, Tess Walker.

Ooc: I've never done a thread like this before (it's so fun thought! ) and I've not done many group threads, so if anyone has ideas different to whatever I put as we go along or whatever, just let me know and I'll edit

[Deleted]

James Reagan

tag: Dr Sofia Austin, Matthew Cole, Tess Walker

words

At Burke’s hiss the younger of the three agents ran off to the other free computer and started working, meanwhile Burke glanced at the other “Get the others, We have contact” clearly there were more on the task force than the three agents and James. “What show?” James just barely heard Sofia “What’s going on here? Why’s Tess there?” Feeling her touch him James flinched “Tess!” Mark laughed mockingly at Sofia and James inwardly growled, seeing Matt pull her away slightly James was just a little thankful - he didn’t want Sofia getting hurt of James lashed out and he was close to doing so too “Just turn the screen off and do whatever it is you’re going to. Or did you forget what that was?” Hearing Tess James fought hard to contain his emotions, he knew she was trying to cover how scared she was “See James isn’t bothered, you’ve got the wrong woman for this.” James’ breathing quickened, his eyes began to go out of focus as once more panic and fear kicked in “Just walk away and leave me, don’t go down this rabbit hole again. The guy’s an idiot he’ll slip up.” James shook his head “Mark, let her go” he growled, coldly. Mark snorted “Why would I go and do that? It would ruin all the fun!” he replied turning and strolling towards Tess, pulling along with him the tray of needles “I wanted you to see, cause you missed out last time didn’t you?”

James’ breathing quickened “MARK! LEAVE HER ALONE!” he almost screamed and Mark paused looking sympathetically at the camera “There there James, don’t get so worried” he smirked “She thinks you don’t care much for her” he shrugged “So you wont care much will you?”

James glanced over at the agent doing the trace “DAVID!” he barked and David shook his head “Signals bouncing all over”

Mark laughed “Thought you’d try that, no, I wouldn’t have made it THAT easy now would I? Don’t you know me by now?” he asked and James seethed “Just don’t touch her! I’ll talk! Just don’t touch her!”

Mark snorted but seemed to step back slightly and turned towards the camera “Talk about what?”

Behind them several more agents charged in but slipped out of view of the camera, easily hiding their identities from Mark who wasn't able to see them.

Distraction, James knew he had to distract Mark and keep him talking long enough “Why are you doing this Mark?” he asked quietly and Mark snickered almost like he enjoyed it “Why, so that you didnt forget me” he retorted and James fought to steady his breathing, however he didn't buckle under Mark's gaze.

Meanwhile, Burke tugged Sofia and Matt aside, out of the sight of the camera “Cole, you got any way to help? I need officers out there, searching. We have the whole of Chicago. But I’ve got maps of his usual hideouts, figured you could do something while you’re here?. And I need uniforms over at her place, along with CSI” he looked to Sofia “Doc, I don’t think James is gonna let you out of his sight while Mark is on the loose” he added “Mark has a thing for anyone close to Reagan or even close to those close to Reagan. You’re better off here.” he glanced at James “How well do you know the woman he has right now?” he asked looking back to Sofia, maybe he could get a better idea of the woman he had so that he could figure out how Mark tracked her down and maybe even then backtrace... somehow.

Meanwhile at the mention of maps the table had been cleared and a map of Chicago had been placed on the table by the third agent and David was still frantically trying to work.

notes: Everyone can hear the dialogue between Mark/James so feel free to react/respond etc

♡

[Dr Sofia Austin]

It was that laugh that turned her stomach, that mocking laugh at her confusion and terror that her friend was tied to a chair. How was she supposed to react to it? It was hardly an every day thing and if it was she hardly knew her friend as well as she thought she did. No she was terrified and yet all she could do was stand there and have no idea what to do or what to say to anyone to fix this. It was hardly a medical issue that she would know what to do, this was out of her hands entirely.

Sofia swore if any of them turned off the screen as Tess said to she would personally cause them untold pain. As a doctor she knew how to heal but turn that on its head and she knew how to make a person suffer better than most. It was like watching a nightmare unfold and having no power to do anything about it at all. No patient to treat, no issue to solve nothing that she could do as Matt told her by the upper arms and guided her away. Had she been in any decent state of might she might have fought him to stay exactly where she was but there was no fight or even resistance to it.

Sofia reached to hold onto Matt, she had no idea who the man was but she needed someone to keep her sane as her eyes peered at the screen that sent shivers down her spine. The growling, the almost scream and she could feel her own heart beat quicken with fear of what was coming next. Sofia wanted to scream when the man ask ‘to talk about what?’ no there was no talking just getting her best friend back. Why did he want to talk it was messing with people and that she found hard to take.

It was as Burke came back and tugged her and Matt aside out of sight of the camera that she glared at the agent. “Mark who? What has everyone so hyped about this guy?” Sofia asked having no real idea about Mark or what he had done to everyone. Yes her friend, he had her but was this an ongoing thing that everyone had left her out of. Sofia ran a hand through her hair as she looked at Matt for a moment before she looked back to Burke. She had just come off a shift, her brain was barely hanging in with reality and now she was being asked questions about Tess.

Could they have picked a better day to do this she wondered? “She’s my best friend, I’ve known her a few years now and this... she’s a cop. People don’t just take cops.” Sofia said as if trying to reason the entire thing out in her own mind. “Why is he doing this to her?” Sofia asked looking at Matt as if he had all the answers for her. “Tess doesn’t hurt anyone, she’s a cop, bomb squad she’s the one that tries to save people.” Sofia explained knowing that she knew more about Tess than just being her friend.

Sofia knew Tess’ medical records, her life; things that friends shared and now what did she spill all of this to a room full of people? To James who she had no idea if Tess or James had spoken much since the hospital, it was an awkward situation to be in given she had no idea what James knew or what people were in the dark about. She was a colleague to them and now what she had to tell them things that Tess might not have? One thing was for sure if Tess survived then Sofia might not be alive at the end of it all.

@james, Matthew Cole, Tess Walker,

[Tess Walker]

Tess wanted to scream but she knew she couldnt do that, she couldnt do that to the people on the other side of that screen as she watched Matt guide her away and out of shot. Tess was glad of it, the man was a good guy and someone she had been privilege to work with. Nothing like being trapped in a burning building which was her biggest fear in life and for him to not make much of a fuss over it at all. Sometimes there were just those people in life you were lucky to know and she was looking at three of those people on a screen as she heard the laugh from Mark.

She wanted to kick him as she tried to struggled against her restraints but just as before it wasn’t any good. Why weren’t they listening to her and turning off the screen? Of course they weren’t, who listened to her on a good day let alone then. “No James, shut up and do as you’re told. Turn this off.” She stated firmly seeing Mark strolling toward her as she gulped silently. She could see the tray of needles as she tried to show no fear what so ever of them, hell she had been stuck with a enough of them in her life to know that it wasn’t going to be pleasant.

Tess could feel herself starting to shake as she forbid herself to scream. No calm and act like no one cares she told herself trying to take a breath that just didnt seem like enough to her. It was like sitting and watching your own person horror movie without an option to stop it when it was too much. “Dont you dare talk to him James.” Tess snapped not wanting any of them to give the guy what he wanted at all. “He doesn’t care Mark; he’s over you and what you did so this isn’t going to change it. Like I said before we’re not really talking anyway so you just took a cop... That’s it. Any half mind criminal could do that.” She grumbled struggling against the ties that kept her in place.

To her it didnt matter what happened the only people she wanted safe she knew were in the room with James. “Matt, get James out of this... turn the screen off.” She stated again as she decided at that point she was far angrier than terrified of the consequences. “You want to know why he’s doing this. It’s because he’s got nothing else worth doing in life, he has to feel like the big man but really he’s just an inch tall and no one listens to him.” Tess practically barked at Mark before she glared at the screen.

“What do the feds say, issues all the way around the block and back. Nothing worth studying or knowing because he’s just not worth the time.” She said with a satisfied grin on her face as she practically shot daggers at Mark with her eyes. “Men you’re all the same, you don’t listen when you should so if you’re there Matt or Sofia get James away from this, far away. It’s no fun for Mark if he doesn’t have an audience.” Tess stated deciding if she couldnt get out of the chair she could run her mouth of just as fast as she would have walked out of there. She just wanted it to be over, to get on with whatever was going to happen to her because she knew what Mark was capable of and it wasn’t something she wanted to prolong.

Tag: @james, Matthew Cole, Dr Sofia Austin

[Matthew Cole]

Matt didn't fail to notice James' breathing becoming more and more rapid. He could see he was starting to crack but he didn't want to interrupt and risk ending the call until he had too.

“Mark, let her go”

His tone was colder than Matt had ever heard from him before. Mark was clearly taunting and James was taking the bait. It was starting to look like this was going to go the wrong way and fast.

“No James, shut up and do as you’re told. Turn this off.” “Dont you dare talk to him James.”
“He doesn’t care Mark; he’s over you and what you did so this isn’t going
to change it. Like I said before we’re not really talking anyway so you
just took a cop... That’s it. Any half mind criminal could do that.”

Tess was trying but James wasn't paying attention, and mark probably wasn't buying it either.

“Why would I go and do that? It would ruin all the fun!” “I wanted you to see, cause you missed out last time didn’t you?”

Matt had heard about criminals like Mark, 'taunters' who made contact designed to provoke and distress, who left cryptic clues to fuel a game of cat and mouse to feed their own egos and psychotic desires. Fortunately he hadn't encountered it himself in his career so far, but he had been told about cases by other officers who had. However hearing about it wasn't the same as watching it happen.

“MARK! LEAVE HER ALONE!”

Oh no, no, no.
Mark was clearly trying to antagonize and James was taking the bait.

“Hey, don't give him the satisfaction.” Matt said, breaking his silence in order to try and keep James stable. A coat of anger and disdain in his voice and expression.

“There there James, don’t get so worried” “She thinks you don’t care much for her” “So you wont care much will you?”

Matt clenched his jaw, he wanted to reach through the screen and grab Mark by the throat.

James turned his eyes to the agent doing the trace and Matt's eyes followed too, waiting to see if he had a result.  

“Signals bouncing all over”

Damn it!
It didn't really come as a surprise but it certainly wasn't what everyone wanted to hear.

“Thought you’d try that, no, I wouldn’t have made it THAT easy now would I? Don’t you know me by now?”
       
Mark's jeering attitude was making Matt angry and distressed, though he contained himself considerably compared to James who was visibly seething, undoubtedly giving Mark the gratification he was seeking. Though Matt didn't know how long he would be able to bite his tongue for...not too much longer at this rate.

Sofia obviously wasn't taking it any better herself as she held onto Matt while Mark's jeering laugh filled her ears. Matt put a hand on her back attempting to give her some sense of support and solidarity. After all Sofia was a doctor not a cop, so this was probably all totally out of her spectrum of experience and must be rather overwhelming for her.
Not to mention it was in Matt's instincts to look out for distressed women, the fact that he didn't know Sofia at all was of little consequence right now.

“Matt, get James out of this... turn the screen off.”

Matt's chest began to heath.
Seeing Tess one the screen tied to a chair was distressing to say the least, but hearing her talk to him directly, hearing her ask him to do something for her that she was powerless to do herself was something else.

“You want to know why he’s doing this. It’s because he’s got nothing else worth doing in life, he has to feel like the big man but really he’s just an inch tall and no one listens to him.”

Part of Matt admired his friend's defiance, undermining Mark was one tactic to try and get him to slip up, and it's probably what he would do himself if he was in her place instead. However it was also a good way to antagonize the man who was already planing to hurt her.

“What do the feds say, issues all the way around the block and back. Nothing worth studying or knowing because he’s just not worth the time.” “Men you’re all the same, you don’t listen when you should so if you’re there Matt or Sofia get James away from this, far away. It’s no fun for Mark if he doesn’t have an audience.”

Again Tess' request only served to increase Matt's level of emotional distress.
He wanted nothing more than to get James out of this right now, to stop Mark being able to taunt him live like this and to spare Tess from having the people in her life playing the part of 'audience' in what had to be the worst situation in her life so far, he would want her to spare him that too if the roles were reversed, but he knew he couldn't turn the camera off because he knew people where trying to track the signal and turning it off wasn't his call to make.

As hard as Matt was trying to remain calm his emotions were about to take over as the stress of the situation began to overwhelm him. The room buzzed with frantic activity out of the camera's view and the atmosphere was oh so emotive; James was seething and raising his voice, understandably angry and in a very bad way. Mark's sickening laughter filled the air as it boomed throughout the entire room. Tess was between anger and hidden fear, repeatedly asking for the camara to be turned off and Sofia was putting out vibes of confusion and terror to complete the bubbling mix.

Matt was just about to buckle and snap something out loud when Burk pulled him and Sofia aside just in time, while James kept Mark on the line.
He didn't want to leave James but Burk was running the room it seemed and it looked as if he knew what he was doing so Matt didn't resist in that moment. It wasn't like he was going far from James after all. 

He stood face to face with Burk as the man spoke, mentally noting every word he was saying.

“Cole, you got any way to help? I need officers out there, searching. We have the whole of Chicago. But I’ve got maps of his usual hideouts, figured you could do something while you’re here?. And I need uniforms over at her place, along with CSI”

He gave a nod, “On it.” he said immediately.

He instantly walked out of earshot of the computer's mic and pulled out his phone while Burk turned to Sofia, “Captain, it's me.” He said the millisecond his call was answered, not giving his CO a chance to say a single word.

“Listen, I don't have time to explain I just need you to listen, okay? Detective Tess Walker has been abducted and I need you to send uniforms and a CSI team to her place right now, and I mean now. I'm with the FBI and her abductor is making live contact showing her off to us...yeah right now, I'm looking at her!"   

Matt looked over, seeing a map being laid out on the table, “Feds are trying to trace the call but right now we have no idea where she is. They want every unit available to help search the city.”

Matt swapped the phone from one ear to the other as he walked over and looked at the map.
He saw the places that had been highlighted and began giving his CO the locations as a starting point, before glancing up to keep an eye on James.

Tag: @james , Dr Sofia Austin , Tess Walker .

[Deleted]

James Reagan

tag Dr Sofia Austin ,Matthew Cole ,Tess Walker ,

words

“Captain, it's me.” Burke watched Matt step away before turning his attention to Sofia “Mark who? What has everyone so hyped about this guy?” Burke sighed "he’s from Canada, from Quebec, a former colleague knew him from her time in the RCMP. At the time he was attacking but not killing, she went undercover and developed a relationship with him, when she trapped him and he was put away for 15 years she moved to Chicago. He tracked her down once he was released and swore revenge” he indicated James “His wife, was his first kill” he said softly more so that James didn’t hear him. “She’s my best friend, I’ve known her a few years now and this... she’s a cop. People don’t just take cops.” Burke sighed, Mark had taken two already - killing one and nearly killing the other - could he really tell this woman that? No, he fixed James with a look James could not see before he looked back at Sofia “Tess doesn’t hurt anyone, she’s a cop, bomb squad she’s the one that tries to save people.”

Burke studied her "All I need to know, is if you know what she regularly does - what she does in her spare time, places she likely went to. Evans tracks people, we might be able to backtrace if we catch him on the cameras in the streets" anything at this point would work, a point to work from. He knew it was hard for her to talk about her friend, he hated to have to ask but he knew it was the only way. They rarely had a head start and this was a good head start.

“Listen, I don't have time to explain I just need you to listen, okay? Detective Tess Walker has been abducted and I need you to send uniforms and a CSI team to her place right now, and I mean now. I'm with the FBI and her abductor is making live contact showing her off to us...yeah right now, I'm looking at her!" “Feds are trying to trace the call but right now we have no idea where she is. They want every unit available to help search the city.” As Matt approached another agent regarded him as he leaned over the map opposite “David’s still tracking, if we get every available unit out fast we’ll have a better chance of covering every base” a beat “Call me Jason” Jason was the FBI’s best shot at mapping and tracking - if anyone could spread the units out evenly it was Jason.

Meanwhile over by the computer

James hadn’t missed Matt’s words but his mind was a mess, he was barely able to hear or notice anything around him - only what was on the screen - that was what made James in a dangerous place

“No James, shut up and do as you’re told. Turn this off.” James hesitated - they couldn’t, they needed it to continue, so that they could locate them, he knew it was hurting her that her closest friends were watching, he hated that he was unable to reach through and save her. His mind flashed with the images of the video of Mya’s death, the same kind of tray and the same setup - Mark was trying to toy with James’ mind.

“Dont you dare talk to him James.” James couldn’t hear her, his mind once again reeling with the flashbacks.

“He doesn’t care Mark; he’s over you and what you did so this isn’t going to change it. Like I said before we’re not really talking anyway so you just took a cop... That’s it. Any half mind criminal could do that.” Mark chuckled, a kind of weird odd type of chuckle before playing fondly with the needles on the tray

“Matt, get James out of this... turn the screen off.” James became just slightly aware of Burke pulling Matt and Sofia aside, he was again thankful, then Tess’ voice came again “You want to know why he’s doing this. It’s because he’s got nothing else worth doing in life, he has to feel like the big man but really he’s just an inch tall and no one listens to him.” At least Tess knew what type of wack job Mark was

“What do the feds say, issues all the way around the block and back. Nothing worth studying or knowing because he’s just not worth the time.” James’ mind slowly started to steady, something about hearing another voice - a familiar voice, even when Matt had spoken to him it was that which kind of helped in a way “Men you’re all the same, you don’t listen when you should so if you’re there Matt or Sofia get James away from this, far away. It’s no fun for Mark if he doesn’t have an audience.”

Mark shook his head “She’s more of a talker than Mya isn’t she James” he taunted shooting a look in the direction of the freezer container, James did not miss that look and his blood ran cold, whatever he did he had to make sure Mark didn’t do what he clearly wanted to do “Tess, do you remember when we were talking at the hospital?” He seemed to have steadied himself, his focus tightening.

Distracted and confused he looked to the computer “Lovers tiff huh?” he asked, but James was ignoring him, focusing on Tess - something Mark absolutely hated, hated to be ignored and James knew it all too well

“Trust me” James said the two words softly, quietly - although barely audible, the request was in James’ eyes, he needed Tess calm, Mark also loved it when his ‘victims’ were agitated, talking.

Mark growled, clearly frustrated, turning back to the trolly he picked out a needle and grinned “Maybe this will help” he moved towards Tess

“Evans!” James barked and Mark glanced over his shoulder at him “She’s not who you want, you want me - thats what this is about, you have me - leave her alone”

What was he doing? All he knew was that he had to keep Mark talking, focused on him, Mark had the ability to become obsessed to the point of cryptic mind games, yet this had been way too easy.

Why was Mark willingly 'talking'? Why was Mark live streaming - questions, questions - something did not sit right, Mark was a lot more cunning than that.

notes

♡

[Dr Sofia Austin]

Listening to what Tess was saying made no sense to her, turn the screen off no it was their only link to her and why was she antagonizing the crazy guy with the needles? Tess was lucky that Sofia was in a state of shock or she would be telling her friend what was what. No spouting off to a crazy person, keep her head down and stay alive. That last part being the most crucial to the entire thing, it was almost like being in a goldfish bowl except no one was speaking her language.

It was English but the phrases of ‘code black or get me a gurney or patient bleeding’ that was her world and the phrases she understood. James telling some guy to let her friend go and standing off to the side of it all, that was like standing on the edge of a whole other world she hardly knew existed. Cops, yes she had a friend that was one but it hardly made that she understood what they did as usually she met Tess outside of work or in the ER if she needed to be patched up. None of what was going on felt like life to her, more like the set of a movie.

When she heard James almost lose it and take the taunt she could barely make a noise though she was grateful that Matt had the presence of mind to say something. When she heard Mark’s voice she wanted to kill the man herself, she knew James cared for Tess and knew Tess cared for James she just wished the two had managed to talk before all of this. She swore then that if the two got through it alive she would either cuff them together or kidnap them both herself and lock them in a room until they did what any adult would do and just talk to each other.

Sofia had never been the type to grab hold of men she hardly knew, even those she did know it was a strange thing for her but this time. This time she had no idea what was going to happen, there was no battery of tests to run, no textbook to look through no problem to solve. This was her friend as she tried not to lose it right then and there as she felt Matt’s hand on her back. No she had to focus as she did just that on the nearest person to her which was Matt. She winced as she heard Tess directly ask Matt to turn of the screen.

She could see that with those words Matt was handling it all about as well as she was though this time she had something. She knew her job as a doctor and seeing someone in distress right in front of her was something she could actually help with. Be a doctor she thought looking up at Matt as she quickly glanced to James as her name was mentioned again. Sofia placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment, “Officer, she’ll be okay.” She stated having no real idea if that was for her own piece of mind or for his. “She’ll be okay, just focus on what you need to do because if I know she can take care of herself. You know her, trust what you know of her.” Sofia said not sure if she was helping at all.

Confusion and terror, it was as if she had just stepped into a nightmare and there was no exit or stop button available. The laughter, the voices, the emotions it was like the world was closing in and there was no keeping it out until she heard Bruke. There were a few things in life she wished to be oblivious to and this was one of those things, ‘attacking but not killing’. Those words circled in her head as she looked at James hearing about his wife, oh this was making more and more horrid sense to her as she tried not to move from the spot.

“He stalked her? Oh no... why didn’t I see it. I should have paid more attention.” She said fumbling in her bag for a moment as she pulled out her purse as if she was going to pay for something. “She works and she goes home, we had coffee a few times at the shop a block away from the hospital.” Sofia said pulling out a few receipts from different places they had been. She likely looked as if she was the crazy person hiding everything in paper form but then she had always been like that. “Dinner at Mario’s, two nights ago. I’ve been on shift for...” Sofia tried to explain as she looked at her watch though it seemed to be unfocused as she shook her head. “A long shift, I saw her last at O’Neill’s bar on fifty fourth, she was ending her shift and I was just starting mine but that would have been over eighteen hours ago. I know she was working if that helps?” Sofia blabbered to Burke trying to see what was going with everyone else.

@james, Matthew Cole, Tess Walker,

[Tess Walker]

Watching Mark play to the screen it felt like she was a world away from the people she cared about. It wasn’t like feeling home sick or trying to figure out what was wrong she knew what was happening, she was there trying to do whatever it was she could to just end the terror of being watched while who knew what happened. She knew Mark wanted an audience and if they would just turn off the screen, it didnt matter what happened because at least no one would see or hear her.

Even that running through her mind had her voice making little noise as she listened to the voices, familiar as they were they had nothing. No lead, no signal trail to follow though this was Mark it wasn’t as if he was going to make it easy but why taunt anyone via a live link. Mya had been a video of things, it made more sense to her though really what sense was there in what was happening. She had been asleep and now she was in a place she couldnt even say where. She wanted to scream but what good would it to for anyone on the other side of the screen.

Couldnt they hear her? She was asking them to turn it off, do the one thing that would cut her off but then it was better in her head than the alternative that it left her. What would happen to James? The alcohol and the mess he had been in and then there was Matt, the one friend in the department she trusted and Sofia. Her best friend who was right there in that room watching what was going on and she wasn’t even a cop. No they had to do this to at least give her some dignity to die if that was the plan.

Tess watched as Mark played with the needles on the tray, she could feel her chest starting to tighten with fear as she struggled against the restraints. Needles weren’t her favourite thing and Sofia was about the only person who could get a needle close to her without her freaking out over it. Too much time spent in hospitals after her accident and even just looking at it she could feel the same pain all over again. Why wouldnt any of them listen to her, she was speaking English but still she could see James as she wished she had something in reach to smash the screen with.

Hearing Mark say she was a talker Tess glared, “I’ll talk you to death sooner than give you the time of day.” She snapped looking toward the container, well if that was her fate sealed then he had better get on with it because she would talk until she couldnt. She was about to make another snappy reply when she heard James’ voice, he seemed to be more focused but that only made things worse when she remembered what she had said to him at the hospital and done too. She took a breath as she nodded trying not to show any emotion about it but she failed.

Those two words were spoken and she felt the tears run down her face as her nails dug into the wood on the chair. She could see on the screen it was in his eyes but trust had been a big thing for her though he hadn’t given her reason lately not to trust him. “I trust you.” She said equally as quietly though she wasn’t sure he heard her as she did her best to smile. “I’m sorry, we should have talked more.” She admitted wishing that she could go back and do just that.

No matter how painful it would be, she had things to say and now she might not get to say them. Why had she been so foolish that day as she regretted not talking, the awkward moments there had been. Well if this really was it for her and this was her swan song then she might as well tell everyone exactly what she thought until she saw Mark move to the trolley. In an instant she started to squirm and shift in her chair before she heard James’ voice again.

The bark and then Mark was glanced over his shoulder as Tess watched the man. It made no sense to her, he was distracted by James but this wasn’t how Mya’s case went. There wasn’t a live interaction, Mark didnt do a question and answer session though Tess glared the minute she realised what James was saying. “Matt, Sofia.” Tess spluttered trying to get the right words out. “DONT LET HIM DO ANYTHING STUPID.” She snapped not sure if she was going to pay for saying that but then she wasn’t about to let Mark get the better of any of them. “He doesn’t have you James, promise me you wont do anything stupid. Promise me.” She said hoping that it covered most things, from the drinking to do taking any risk.

Tag: Matthew Cole, @james, Dr Sofia Austin

[Matthew Cole]

Matt felt her gentle touch on his shoulder and he looked at her as she spoke.

“Officer, she’ll be okay.”   

It was ironic in a way, Sofia was about the only one in the room without a badge, and even though she was probably the most sensitive and the most worried person in the room she was still trying to reassure him, bless her, even though she probably had no idea how these kind of things played out.
Truth was it was what everyone was telling themselves right now because that's what they wanted to believe...Even if it might not be the case.

“She’ll be okay, just focus on what you need to do because if I know she can take care of herself. You know her, trust what you know of her.”

Maybe it was her bedside manner or her experience as a doctor that helped Sofia know what to say and how to say it, either way her words had a lot of truth to them and helped Matt get a better grip on himself and calm back down a little so he could do his job with better focus.   
 
Matt touched her on the arm as if to thank her for her words before he stepped away.

“David’s still tracking, if we get every available unit out fast we’ll have a better chance of covering every base” “

Matt nodded, he was still the line with his CO.

Call me Jason”

Matt covered the phone with his hand, “Matt.” He replied.

“Yeah, we gotta spread them out, search the city.” He said, talking back into the phone again, “How fast can you get people moving on this?” He asked, his voice conveying a sense of urgency. 

“Evans!”

Matt's head whipped round to look at James.

“She’s not who you want, you want me - thats what this is about, you have me - leave her alone”

To Matt's horror he saw Evens on the screen moving towards Tess with a needle.

“No, you need to get them moving quicker than that.” Matt replied in response to his CO's answer, “Look this isn't a ransom situation. This guy's gonna kill her, you understand, he's gonna kill her.”

Some units would be ready to go in the time it would take for them to simply turn their car in the right direction, while other units would take a little longer to get organized, so right now they had to start sending cars to the most likely locations.

Matt quickly turned to Jason, “What are the most critical locations right now? Where should we send the first units?”  

Once Jason told him he relayed the coordinates to his CO. He hung up, freeing his CO to set about co-ordinating with other departments in the precinct to get as many extra units as possible.
 
“Matt, Sofia.”

Hearing Tess call, he moved away from the map and stepped a little closer to the screen.
It felt like his heart was about to beat out of his chest as he looked at Tess tied to the chair with a needle of who-knows-what so close to her, but he did his best to hold it together for Tess' sake.

“DONT LET HIM DO ANYTHING STUPID.”

“Tess? Tess, don't worry. It's gonna be ok.” He called out from where he was standing. Emotion seeping out in his voice a little as he tried to reassure her, but hopefully they would be reassuring.

“You hear me? It's gonna be ok.” He finished.

He knew he probably shouldn't be speaking to her, but he wasn't just a cop, he was human after all... and so was Tess and he was gonna let her know that it was gonna be alright. Even if the worst happened it was gonna be alright and he would make sure that he wouldn't let James so anything stupid. Even if the worst happened he would look out for those closest to her. Arrh “Even if the worst happened.” - Was he really about to see his friend and colleague be killed?

Tag: @james, Dr Sofia Austin, Tess Walker.