Tears Dry On Their Own - Tagged

[Shani McGuire]

Shani was having the worst year of her life so far, not just on a personal level but now work seemed to have it out for her too. Not only had she been partnered with the jelly baby, hyper active man child Mark Wilson. The powers that be had decided that day to partner her with Steven Hudson, the one and only other person on the team that she would have chewed off her own arm to avoid being stuck in a box with. Lucky it was near the end of shift and despite their bickering and insults toward each other, Shani was glad she had restrained herself from killing him. So far at least.

They were on the way back from an easy, person down call which turned out to be a mild heart burn when the call came in for an active shooter call. Just what they needed to get caught up in she thought grumbling as she watched Hudson turn the rig around. The law offices of Hunter Wilson, great just what they needed, open plan, all glass not much cover and a nightmare to work around. Once they managed to get there, the place was swarming with cops, fire-fighters, shattering glass from above and the sound of gunshots from within the building. Obviously someone was unhappy that day.

The call for paramedics to go into the building was made with a few cops leading the way though once they had covered a few floors, the cops seemed to peel off in different directions. Sure they had the bullet proof vests and bags full of gear but the sounds of shots fired seemed to get louder and louder as they could hear someone calling for help. Finding two women hunkered down in a corner, Shani watched as Steven started to treat one who had a bullet to the leg while Shani took care of the one who had cuts over her arm.

Sure build an office off glass and see how it bites back. Shani bit her tongue though when the bullet sounds became louder and she saw a pane of glass shatter at the end of the hall, she shoved Steven back. Where were the cops when they were needed though silently Shani shoved her hand over one woman’s mouth as they motioned to the elevators that were still working. Fastest way out and up and down she thought. Moving as quickly as possible they managed to hear the ping of the elevator before the bullets seemed to spray the wall beside them. Shani shoved Steven into the elevator hard watching as the door slide closed onto hear the ping of a bullet where his head had been.

Yeah she was being kind to the guy, baby on the way and all she could hardly let him get shot now. Even if it would have given her great pleasure to shoot him earlier. Shani saw there was little space to squeeze through the doors and having them open again with the two women and her partner inside was a bad idea. Instead she threw herself under the nearest desk as she shut off her radio that practically screamed with Steven’s voice of disapproval. Was he trying to get her killed she wondered as she scrambled to find somewhere a little safer than a desk, as her cut her hand on some glass on the floor.

She never bothered to wrap it as she just carried on moving to try and find somewhere safer to call for help though the sound of bullets were still ringing in her ears as she saw the holes in her previously pristine bag. She swore a few times in Hebrew under her breath as she found a room of grey wall dividers and desks. She found one in the middle of the room as she shoved herself under it, grabbing a pair of scissors from the desk above. She knew how to fight, the army had taught her that though she also knew she had no idea of how many shooters there were or where they were as she pulled the desk chair under the desk to hide her from view.

Shani grabbed her radio as she whispered. “McGuire, stuck on the ninth floor. Room with grey wall dividers and desks. Radio silent, will update when I... know anything more.” Shani stated as she held her bag to her chest and tried to keep quiet. Shani had no idea who was outside, the law firm was close enough to the Palestinian embassy though she guessed Jafar was likely guarding his charges. Whichever wife was the chosen one of the day. No she would make sure to call him later, even if it was just to hear his voice and make sure that he at least had a good day.

She hoped that the cops would have done with the situation soon enough though all she wanted was to get the hell out of that office building. The scissors she gripped in her hand that was already cut, she knew it would look a mess but then it was only superficial and she could fix herself up later. Right now she just wanted to stay alive.

Jafar Cabrera ,

[Jafar Cabrera]

Jafar was the head of Saajida’s security, that was about the only wife he spent time following around. Unknown to her or any of the other wives, he was her half brother. The only person who knew was Shaahir and that was only because of a really awkward conversation a few many years ago. Though today he was off. That wasn’t to say that he wasn’t diligent but everyone needed time off. He’d had to make a run to the store. He was out of bread and that wouldn’t sit well with him in the morning when he wanted his toast.

Though Jafar had been picking up some papers from an office on another floor. Hearing the cackle of a nearby security officer’s radio he heard that voice. It was unmistakable. Shani wasn’t his charge and what he was doing would likely be one of the stupidest moves in the history of stupid ideas. No, he couldn’t on a good conscious leave here up there. Right, she’d said the ninth floor.

Jafar’s training far exceeded that of just simple military. He was Navy SEAL trained and trained to go to toe to toe if not take out Mossad operatives. Part of the world he grew up in. The Hasan family would be a prime Mossad target and Jafar was well aware of it. Though if he had heard Shani on the radio then who else had heard.

Jafar decided to come through the vents. He was astoundingly quiet. “Shani” he called out through the cracks. He didn’t want to get shot for coming to help. Dropping down into the room with her, he shook his head. Looking towards her he shook his head. “Only you would get trapped in a law office.” He pointed out in Hebrew. Spanish and Arabic were his first languages but Hebrew was a lot stronger than his English so that is what he typically used with Shani.


Tag: Shani McGuire

[Shani McGuire]

Shani was terrified, she was used to the sound of bullets given her two years army training and yes that made her a better medic but that was before her husband had died. Before her life was torn apart and before she knew that she was the only one her children had now. Yes there was Rachel her sister-in-law but Rachel had a daughter of her own and landing two kids under ten on the woman because Shani chose to get herself shot, it was a bad idea. Even the grandparents she knew would chip in but again, elderly and the children would likely wear them out.

No she had to get home, it was never up for debate though Shani wanted to get out from under that desk and out into the open air. She could hear the noises getting closer and closer, she had put out where she was and all she could do was hope that whoever these people were. They had no radio’s tuned into the right channel. Shani stayed silent until she heard her name, no she was hearing things because that voice sounded exactly like his voice.

A voice that made her feel safe though why she was hearing things was beyond her. Shani forced herself further back under the desk until she heard someone in the room with her. She griped the scissors in her bloodied hand as she raised them until she saw him. Shani had never been so pleased to see him which was closely followed by annoyance. She had just thrown her work partner into a lift to save his life for a baby he was yet to have and now Jafar was dropping in to places on her. Were the men in her life trying to kill her off with worry before any bullet touched her?

She smiled as she heard the Hebrew, even that made her feel calm and safe as she shook her head. “Only you would be in here first... how did you even get in? Or what are you here for that requires legal papers?” She asked before realising having that debate was best set for another time. It never occurred to her that he might be there to help her though she was glad he was there regardless if it was simply legal papers. Shani pushed herself out from under the desk, the bag she had in one hand with the scissors as she reached out for his wrist and made an attempt to pull him to the safest place she could see. “Come on and get under there before you get hurt.” She stated quietly though she could feel her hand shaking she simply hoped that Jafar was unable to.

Jafar Cabrera,

[Jafar Cabrera]

Anyone would be terrified in this situation. Jafar knew he was risking a lot and if Shaahir knew he was here; well he wasn’t sure what would happen since this was his time off. “I’m trained to get in here.” He pointed out with a light glare. Oh yes, the SEALS had taught him a lot of things and getting into a building that was being held hostage and being shot up wasn’t exactly hard. Well to most it was.

“And you and I are going out the same way I came in.” He replied in a whisper as he pointed to the vent he had just come out of. “I’m not about to let you stay in here with Mr. Crazy on the loose.” Jafar tugged on her hand that she offered and he put his knee out. “Trust me.” He wasn’t sure how far that was going to go; but he had just gone back in here to get people out of here. At the very least he could get his friend out of here.

He could feel her hand shaking but he made no mention of it. He knew it was better off to not call her out on things when they were in the middle of trying to get out. Jafar gave her a stern look. If he could handle his day job then he could handle the cute paramedic Israeli who was hellbent on saving the world. There were some days where he wished that falling for an Israeli had been some lapse in judgment.

[Shani McGuire]

Shani raised her brow at him for a moment. “So you’re trained to break into places... remind me what you said your job was again?” She asked though she knew full well what he did. Protection detail for a diplomat for a country that practically went against her own heritage. Even being friends with a Palestinian was as issue she was sure for a lot of people but Jafar, there was something about the man that had her hooked. Right now he was the man that had come from the ceiling to help her which she was hardly going to argue about.

Glancing up to where Jafar was pointing Shani glared right back at him. “How the hell do I get up there?” She asked him though it was hardly out of her reach to do so. Martial arts had to pay off sometimes, not just for relaxing and flexibility but climbing through vents too. Or so she hoped it would. “I wasn’t planning on staying in here but you shouldn’t even be in here anyway.” She stated not sure if she was mad or just worried about him. Shani glanced at his knee though there was no one in the world she trusted more than him, she never told him as much but he never had to say those words to her because she did trust him. Rightly or wrongly given their countries histories.

Shani wanted to be mad at him for putting himself in harms way in the first place. No she could scream at him outside for that as she quickly hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, before stepping on his knee and reaching up to the vent that she managed to catch with both hands. “I trust you more than you know Jafar.” She said quietly before pulling herself up into the vent. Shani scooted around so she could throw her hands down for him to catch, she had no idea if he needed them or not but she was hardly going to leave him down there.

Reaching down she stuck her head out over the opening of the vent. Her hands were still shaking but she could pull him up there if he needed the help. “Take my hands and hurry up and get up here Jafar. I’m not leaving you down there with Mr. Crazy either.” Shani almost demanded, for one she had no idea what way to head to get out of the vents and two she was never going to leave him down there on his own either.

Jafar Cabrera,

[Jafar Cabrera]

Jafar gave her a look. “I used to be a Navy SEAL. I’ve been trained to do a lot of things that could make you question your choice in friends.” He held his knee steady so she could climb up. His day job was the furthest thing from his mind but if his boss found out what he was doing? Nope not on his list of things to do. Though he was distracted by her kiss, momentarily.

When Shani was safely up in the vent he jumped up and caught both sides with his hands and pulled himself up. He took her hand as he swung his leg up, he appreciated the sentiment. Even if he didn’t need the help, he wasn’t going to make her feel stiffed. He quietly closed the vent behind him so that they didn’t leave any trace of them being in the vent system. “Move slowly and softly. Parts of this stuff echo.” He whispered in her ear.

“I’m not aiming to get shot today Shani. Calm down and keep your voice down.” He reached around her and pointed. Keep going until you can’t go straight anymore and then turn left. He was careful where he put his hands and feet. He knew she knew the routine. She was Israeli, they had been trained for this type of stuff too. Then again, maybe she forgot all of her training. Jafar was just glad that Elena was not inside the building. No, he’d checked before he’d come stumbling across Shani. She must have been in court or something.

He was still trying to figure out how to tell Shaahir that his wife’s law firm had been the target of a shooting. He wouldn’t live with himself if he didn’t tell his brother-in-law but he also knew that dragging it up would not be an easy conversation to have.

Tag: Shani McGuire

[Shani McGuire]

Shani just rolled her eyes at him, they had all done things to make people question being their friends. Palestinian for one, Navy for two when she was Army and her years doing that had hardly been behind a desk. “Jeez you and your training, you say seal and I think of those cute little sea creatures at sea world. You just have less whiskers and eat less fish.” Shani teased though she had no doubt he could be deadly and had done things that might make her question choices. Right then she was mad that he was there but relieved he was too.

She appreciated the gesture of him taking her hands; it was obvious he could pull himself up under his own power. Shani hated feeling like that damsel in distress, that was never her but at least he made her feel a little better about it. Hearing the vent close Shani looked at their two options when she heard him whisper. “Got it.” She whispered back though she glared when he said that today he had an aversion to getting shot. Did that mean tomorrow that was a no? Oh once they got out of this she was going to be having serious words with him.

Shani was attempting calm when she wanted to scream at him, she was a passionate person and when anyone mentioned they were aiming not to get shot today. No she felt that should have been never get shot ever. Her eyes noted here he pointed as she moved carefully, quietly and slowly as she dragged herself along the vent. Her teeth were making her lip sore as she bit into it to keep herself quiet from wanting to answer him back. He was trying to help her she told herself as her training kicked in as she moved. Be it old memories or just remembering what to do the movements became easier as she went.

Shani thought about the building, she was sure that Jafar had a job here with one of the wives. Three wives, it was hardly unheard of in her country but three to one man. How did the guy make the time for it? Then again three husbands, that could be fun she mused as she shook that thought from her head. No she had time her life for three husbands, two kids and a job. Maybe two would be fun or not? Shani could see the left turn coming up as she looked at Jafar and motioned left but then shrugged. “Where next?” She whispered quietly.

Jafar Cabrera,

[Jafar Cabrera]

Jafar chuckled under his breath at a whisper. “I like fish.” It was complete with a smirk in direction. Oh if she was going to tease, then he was going to play along. Hell, it might loosen her up. Though he was pretty certain crawling through an air vent didn’t qualify as something she could relax entirely. He got up to join her and he could tell things were all business from there on out. In fact they had to be quiet or

“Take a right, it’s going to get low so keep your head down.” He had barely fit, lucky for her she was a bit smaller than him. Nothing like a tight man squeeze. Jafar knew that once they got outside that police were probably already swarming the area. That meant the people who had hostages would be more worried about the hostages and cops than the two of them crawling around in the air vent. Though he knew the shooter was on the other side of the building.

Jafar put an arm around Shani’s waist to stop her from going forward. Though the view from behind wasn’t bad, though he had to admit he was looking. He really needed to stop seeing an Israeli as attractive; but he couldn’t help it. Plus, he cared a lot about her already. Jafar’s job hadn’t brought him here in the slightest. It happened so that it was his day off and he’d been passing by,

Tag: Shani McGuire

[Shani McGuire]

Shani smiled as she shook her head at his chuckle and smirk. “Fine then, next time we go for lunch or something I’ll make sure you get fish and I’ll call you Kipper. You can clap your hands and make seal noises for me.” She teased enjoying the fact he was playing along. Was she insane for trying to loosen up with teasing, there was always that option however Shani said what she thought and even the most random of things were usually voiced. Crawling through an enclosed space while trying to be quiet and not get killed, that required a degree of relaxation to prevent the crippling fear taking over. So really his smirk, teasing and playing along was working quiet well for her.

Shani glanced forward as she saw the right that Jafar was talking about. For a second or two she wondered how he even fit into the vent and sure if he got stuck on a normal day that might have been funny but when she was worried about him. No the thought of him getting stuck was far from funny, even if the idea was still amusing. That morning did she foresee that she would be climbing around vents, oh she could hear Hudson never letting her hear the end of it but then who cared what Hudson thought on a good day.

Just as Shani went to move forward and take that right he had spoke about she felt his arm around her waist. His touch was electric; the sort of touch that she thought about a long time after it had happened and for a Palestinian he was cute. More than cute, he was handsome and drop dead amazing in every way. Though they should be sworn enemies and thinking of him in... it was just. So what he was handsome and she could look past the Palestinian thing could she not?

“Jafar?” Shani asked quietly as her hand went to rest over his on her waist as she scooted back slightly. Her free other free hand went to rest on his cheek, trying to see what the cause was of his arm around her waist. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” She asked her eyes glancing over him, checking to make sure he seemed okay unless he had pulled a muscle trying to play a super hero in climbing into the vent. She swore if the crazy shooter had hurt him she would go down there herself and kick that guys butt back to last Sunday.

Her mind was in worry mode about him as she still felt like he needed an ear full for pulling the stunt he had. Then again his hand on her waist as her eyes tried to find his, it was distracting enough in an enclosed space like a vent.

Jafar Cabrera,