Houston Knights Fan Fiction.
Click here to find out some dark secrets about the author.(Coming soon)

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08Dec01

DISCLAIMER: The Houston Knights characters and premise belong to Jay Bernstein, Michael Butler and the folks at Columbia Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is made from this Fan fiction. It is for entertainment purposes only.

WARNINGS/RATING: This story is rated PG-13 for some graphic violence and strong language. Contains mild adult themes and situations.

NOTES: I am not a police detective, nor am I familiar with police procedure; the tactics and situations in my story are purely fictitious. Also I am not a medical professional and have no formal knowledge of medical terms and procedures. I just wing it and hope it sounds okay, so if it's not realistic enough or true to life, just remember this is for entertainment purposes only.

SPOILERS: None that I know of.

TITLE: "FULL METAL JACKETS" AUTHOR: J Jett209

 

Full Metal Jackets

by Jumbojett

Heavy rain pelted the Detective Division's paint chipped windows as the clock ticked on to 0830. Only the crumpling pages of Sgt. Joe-Bill McCandless' newspaper pierced the silence in the room. Sgt. Levon Lundy eased back in his desk chair, placing his heavy boots across the top of his desk. The unbuttoned shirtsleeves of his faded blue flannel inched up as he folded his arms behind his neck, adjusting his cowboy hat slightly atop his curly blonde head.
"Where in damnation is everyone, we usually start roll call right about now?" he questioned, his southern drawl eminent, as he scanned the empty bullpen with confused blue eyes.
"It's the weather Lundy, haven't seen storms like this in years, four twisters touched down outsid'a Houston just this morning, and the flooding is causing problems on the roads, be patient, we'll start this day before tomorrow." McCandless smiled as he again turned the pages of his soggy paper.
Lundy's eyes fixated on the desk of his absent partner, Joe Lafiamma. Lafiamma's desk faced Lundy's and one couldn't help notice the disarray of paperwork and piles of files growing atop the crowded desktop. Not to mention the countless empty coffee cups, used wrappers and other assorted items.
"Looks like a twister hit this desk, there's so much shit on there I gotta get outta my chair to even see that crazy northerner!" The two detectives exchanged smirks as they waited for the others to arrive.
It's been just over two years since Joe Lafiamma joined the Houston Police Department and he had just a bit of trouble adjusting to the different lifestyle, a native of Chicago, and a full blooded Sicilian, Joe clashed with the laid back atmosphere of the Texas department. By nature Joe was loud, flamboyant, arrogant, brash, stubborn, and hard headed, a contrast to his new surroundings and colleagues. It took a long while for him to adjust and earn their trust and admiration, especially his partner Lundy.
The two men got off on the wrong foot, even coming to blows once or twice, but as time went by and they worked closely together, they became confidants, friends and partners, each admiring and recognizing the others strengths and talents as two of Houston's finest detectives to date. Sure they still argue on a daily basis, cut each other to shreds, try each others patience at every moment, but non the less that's simply what partners do, especially partners who are friends.
Lundy knew it wasn't easy for Joe, the predicament that brought him to Texas was enough to break any man, but Joey handled it well. Back in Chicago Joe was a good cop from the wrong side of the tracks. His family's business and his choice of profession clashed like oil and water. While Joe wore a badge, his family swore by Omerta, the oath of the La Cosa Nostra, organized crime from generation to generation. As for Joe, any crime could not be tolerated, he fought them at every avenue, until finally the inevitable, Joey found himself with a bounty on his head. The Omerta blood oath was stronger than family bloodlines and Joe couldn't even trust those closest to him, an arrangement was made, and Joey was exiled from his family, his home, and his life. If he ever stepped foot in the windy city again, it would be his final step into an early grave. So Houston it was, but for Joe it minus well have been Mars.
The wind howled outside, as Sgt. Estaban Gutierrez entered the squad room, bundled in a large raincoat and sopping boots. "Idios Mios! That storm is loco!" The Mexican shouted as he shook off any excess water and began to peel off his wet clothes. Lundy and McCandless laughed as the Mexican shook like a muddy Bassett hound. Gutierrez made his way to the locker room to change as Lt. Joanne Beaumont strolled through the door, "Good Morning Gentlemen, glad you made it here in one piece!" The attractive brunette stated. She walked briskly to her office, high heels clicking on the shiny linoleum floor. "Briefing in twenty minutes… Don't be late I got an interesting case to lay on you guys."
Lundy and McCandless shot quizative glances at each other as they gathered themselves together and made their way to roll call and briefing, Gutierrez followed closely behind running a comb through his jet-black hair. Lundy picked up the phone and dialed as he lay the receiver between his chin and shoulder.
As the others began to settle in, Lieutenant Beaumont came through the door and positioned herself behind the podium in the front of the briefing room "Where's Lafiamma, anyone see him today?" she asked as she began opening her files and notes. Lundy turned and got Joanne's attention as he gestured to the phone, "I'm callin the car now."
Briefing began with Joanne starting roll call: Lundy, McCandless, Gutierrez are here, Annie and Carol are both on vacation, somewhere warm and dry I hope, and of course Lafiamma, is MIA. Joanne glanced at Lundy still yelling into the receiver, "Didja get him?" Lundy slammed the phone down and joined the group for briefing. "He's on his way, stuck in traffic, the I195 is flooded out pretty bad and every stop light in the city is down, traffic is a mess." The Texan said as he plopped into one of the desks.
Joanne went on to explain the days work, both teams of detectives had a fairly full work load from the weeks before, but would have to put all that aside. A routine traffic stop late last night uncovered a van full of narcotics and an arsenal of illegal weapons and ammunition, the men driving turned on the traffic officers and a gun battle ensued, no officers were hurt, and the band of criminals were killed in the fire fight, they all had Houston driving licenses and the van had Houston tags.
"The narcotics were not out of the ordinary, but the weapons were downright alarming, high velocity modified automatic and assault rifles, and pallets of Teflon Armour piercing ammunition, modified with hollow points. These are custom made bullets and can penetrate any Kevlar vest used by the officers in our Department. The entire Police Department is being placed on high alert, we don't know how long these shipments have been rolling into our city, or who is behind this, but we got to stop them immediately!"
"Our unit, along with Vice OC and Narcotics will form a joint task force to work this case, the operation will be referred to as Full Metal Jacket, and we have our own budget code and expenditures allotted to us. All of our other pending cases will be transferred to a general patrol unit set up today. Because of the storms we cannot rely on the traffic or patrol units to help us in any way, they have enough to deal with accidents and weather related crimes, so please do not call over there for any more bodies, with all the Detectives on the task force we will have thirty officers at our disposal, that is if Lafiamma ever gets here. The attorney General will hold a news conference over at his office later on today to break this case to the press, I'm giving you an advanced copy of the press release in your briefings, along with the initial crime scene report and any other information we have on this case. Please guys do not leak anything other than what's in that release to the press."
Joanne began to pass around the reports, pictures and releases to her detectives, the men studies the papers, wide-eyed and diligent as Joanne continued.
"We know the men involved in transporting these guns are part of a Cuban gang that's plagued the Organized Crime Squad for quite a few years and we do have a lot of info on them already, as you can see in your packets. They are known as the Scorpions, each initiated member has a small scorpion tattooed to the base of his neck; to gain access to this gang you must have committed a murder on behalf of the organization. The group we iced last night was all rank and file, most of the gang members are of Mexican or Cuban heritage, but there are many American members. As far as we can tell our little club spans numerous cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and it seems Miami is their base of operations."
Just as Joanne was going to continue her briefing a soaking Joe Lafiamma erupted through the door, dripping puddles of water with each step. The six-foot Italian's dark locks were plastered to his head; his maroon silk shirt hugged his muscular form leaving nothing to be desired. Mud streaking his designer Valentino slacks, he squished into the seat next to Lundy, obviously out of breath and agitated, "Sorry I'm late, I didn't know I needed a canoe to get to work this morning, Lafiamma murmured as he rung out his tie onto the desk's surface. The group chuckled as Joanne handed Lafiamma some napkins. "No problem Joe, Im glad to see you weren't washed away in that toy car of yours." Lafiamma flashed Joanne a steely glare, as if to mentally say, don't make fun of my Cobra 427, it's off limits to sarcastic punch lines. Joanne walked back to the front of the room, smiling at poor Joe.
Lafiamma read through the reports as Joanne continued briefing the group on their newest case. She went through pictures and rap sheets of all known associates and dispersed leads to both sets of detectives, before opening the floor to discussion.
"My snitch sports one of these numbers on the back of his greasy neck." Joe exclaimed, pointing to the black and white photo of the scorpion tattoo. "I can't see this little creep killing anyone, he's penny ante, strictly small time, not to mention a complete moron." Joanne thumbed through her line up, "Do you see him anywhere in these lists?" Joanne asked slightly confused. "Nope, his name is Ramon Alverez, he's totally unreliable, haven't used one shred of anything he ever handed me, the kids a wash." Joe continued to play with his wet clothing, shifting in his seat noticeably uncomfortable.
"Well pick him up, see if the kids the real deal I can't see this group handing these things out to just anyone, these gangs wear symbols like a badge of honor, if the kids a fake, they would have offed him for sure." Joanne asked as Lafiamma looked at Lundy. Lundy nodded his approval as Joey ran his hands through his soaking hair, spraying water in all directions. "Jeeze Joe if I wanted another shower, I woulda taken one." McCandless exclaimed as he waved a hand in Joe's direction.
Joanne smiled at her detectives wit and continued to relay information, she explained that the task force would convene every day to go over progress at 1630 in the conference room downstairs, all reports ands evidence gathered will be logged immediately with the support staff all task force detectives have access to each others information and no one, under any circumstances withholds anything.
"Get me evidence gentlemen, stuff that sticks, we got to get these guns off the street before someone gets hurt, so far we haven't seen this hardware used, but I'm afraid that's going to change. Also I'm going to have to ask all of you to wear your vests in all situations, not just arrests and raids I'm afraid, but all the time. The A.D.A. working with us is Charles Barnett; he relayed his full cooperation to our team and looks forward to closing this one with us. You will all meet him today at 1630."
Joanne fielded questions before the group broke to return to their squad room, also referred to as the bullpen. As Lafiamma stiffly headed for the door Joanne looked up at him, "Get yourself some dry clothes Sergeant, you can't walk around like that you'll catch your death." "We'll fix him up, wont we fellas." Lundy chuckled as he patted Lafiamma on the damp back. Guieterrez and McCandless both nodded smiling ear to ear as the men returned to their desks.

(1020 Major Crimes Unit Lockeroom)

"NO WAY AM I WEARING THIS LUNDY!!!" Joe exclaimed from behind the locker room door. Lundy, and Guieterrez lined the hall outside giggling as McCandless walked up with two pairs of size twelve shoes, "We have a pair of standard police issues and an old pair of timberlands, what's it gonna be guys?" The three men glanced at each other with mischievous grins before deciding on the timberlands in unison. Gutierrez laughed like a schoolboy as Lundy grabbed the boots and opened the squeaky door of the locker room.
A brief moment of silence was broken as Lafiamma shouted, "YOU ASSHOLES GOTTA BE KIDDIN ME, RIGHT!!" The two detectives stifled their laughter as Lundy and Lafiamma argued on the other side of the door. "It's your own fault for not having a decent rain coat or a change of clothes, now we don't have no time to be driving cross town so you can pick up some of those fancy digs you enjoy wearing so much, now put these on so we can get started boy!" The cowboy stormed out of the room and rejoined the others in the hall, nearly loosing his composure before the door fully closed. "Wait until you guys see him, I nearly broke up right in his face." Lundy said as he shooed the officers back to the bullpen.
It really shouldn't be such a hoot seeing Lafiamma dressed in Lundy's clothes but the contrast to the two men's styles were like opposite ends of the bell curve, Lundy was a casual man, a cowboy at heart. Jeans and button downs of various styles textures and colors, pretty much constituted his entire wardrobe, round it off with a belt, some comfortable boots and a Stetson and the man emerges. A simple man, laid back, quiet pride, easy going, with a heart of gold and a love for the simple things in life. His ranch, BBQ ribs, horses, his dear departed wife Caroline, and his grandmother who raised Lundy, Mother Minnie as he loving referred to her were what held his heart together. The job, his lifelong dream was what kept the man going. His passion for the job gave Lundy strength, ignites the fire deep down, which steers his soul. This passion sometimes rages like a bulldozer and steams over anything or anyone in the way, usually Joey.
Joey Lafiamma was a different story all together. He was a clotheshorse, a label junky, and a style machine. The Italian was born to look good, and he did. Where as Lundy was a bit country, Joe was all rock and roll. The kid had to be growing up in South Chicago in a large Italian catholic family, where if you didn't have ten kids, you had none at all. The Lafiamma family should have their own zip code. And in the midst of so many, you have to be loud, you have to stand out, you have to be different, or you fade into oblivion. Joe was just that, loud, different, driven. He took much pride in his appearance, it was very important to him and it showed. Joe was a strikingly handsome man, chiseled natural good looks, olive completion, jet-black locks always perfectly styled. His blue eyes went on forever, an endless pool of surreal teal, which made one almost gasp if he stared you down. He paid close attention to details, clothes always clean, always matched, never wrinkled or disheveled, so this horrible day, these horrible clothes must invoke physical pain to the detective on the other side of the door.
Joanne entered the bullpen strolling up to the others huddled outside her office door, files in hand and a brown police issued raincoat under arm, "why do you guys insist on torturing poor Joey, does it give you that much pleasure?" She questioned, a small smirk emerging across her lips. The boys exchanged glances and laughed as Lundy leaned against the office door. "Trust me L.T., you are not gonna wanna miss this one, we did him up but good!!" He exclaimed, a look of sheer satisfaction spreading across his face. Just then the familiar squeak of the locker room door could be heard down the hall. "SHOWTIME!" exclaimed McCandless as everyone scrambled to different places, dawning a fleeting casual pose as if nothing out of the ordinary was in place.
Joey strolled hurriedly to his desk, stiff with embarrassment, arms folded, head down, not daring to make eye contact with anyone in the room. He quickly slumped into his chair, the feeling of four sets of overly amused eyes glaring at him made the hair on the back of the detective's neck stand at end. Joanne's eyes widened, surprisingly she was shocked at how different Lafiamma did look. Her lips curled with amusement as she cleared her throat and started toward Joe.
Gutierrez leaned over his desk chair stretching his neck forward, mouth hanging wide open, trying to get a better look at the ensemble before him. McCandless broke the icy silence, "SWEET JESUS!" He bellowed as the group erupted in laughter. Joe leapt from his seat sending the rolling chair flying, "Laugh it up, GO RIGHT AHEAD!!" He roared, turning round so all could see the outfit. "Get a good look, cause you aint gonna EVER see this ever again!" Joe yelled, gesturing loudly with his hands.
It was quite a get up, an old faded pair of denim Levi jeans with various colored paint spatters decorating the front, a pocket missing from the back, and aged fringes hanging from both cuffs. A red and white checked flannel with a rumpled collar, hung unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to just below the elbows atop what could have been a white Piggly Wiggly t-shirt, couldn't tell though, the letters were washed away, from years of use. And last but not at all least, the dreaded brown timberland boots with black laces, the icing on the cake.
"Easy there Rambo" Joanne joked as she rolled the chair back under Lafiamma, who plopped angrily back down, rubbing his eyes. "This day has been unbelievable, I watched my three hundred dollar deck furniture blow away at the crack of dawn, whereabouts unknown! I almost drown trying to drive to work and now this, my dignity ripped apart by my SO CALLED FRIENDS!!" Joanne draped the brown raincoat over Lafiamma's head, "Don't be so dramatic Joey, the day is still young, were just poking a bit of fun, your such an easy target." The squad laughed as Joe checked out the coat, Lundy stood up dawning his own rain attire as the boys got ready to roll, "Hey L.T.! Don't forget to pencil that in on Joe's property card or you'll never see it again!" He joked as he picked his keys up from the desk. Joanne smiled waving goodbye to her detectives. "Hey Joey, don't worry we'll put an all points bulletin out on those deck chairs, I'm sure they'll turn up before lunch." Giggles followed the boys out as Joe sighed, "THIS PLACE IS FULL OF COMEDIANS!" he exclaimed as the door slammed behind him.

(1140 Streets of Houston)

The thunder cracked as thick gray clouds hung low over Houston; the streets were eerily desolate as folks took shelter indoors from the violent storm. Lundy drove his red Jimmy 4x4 cautiously through the city, Joey sitting shotgun. "There's no way were gonna find this kid today, nobody in their right mind would be out in this storm." Lundy observed, straining to see through the waves rolling down the windshield. "You forget Lundy, this kid is a die hard spoon junky, and no act of god can keep these guys away from their drugs." Lafiamma stated sipping coffee from a steaming twenty-ounce paper cup. The police radio hummed on the dash, "Base to 9415, come in?" Lafiamma grabbed the radio as Lundy continued driving, "9415 go ahead base." "DMV and indices came back, no known address for one Alverez Ramon." "Copy base thanks for trying." Joe returned the radio to the cradle, "Oh well, we'll have to try plan B, Lundy head over to Duvall Street, I got an idea."
The Jimmy crept around the corner coming to a halt just shy of an old, what seemed to be abandoned property at the corner of Duval Street. Lundy put the truck in park as Lafiamma did a final check of his dual colt .45's, both locked and loaded. "You take the back, Lundy. I'll go in from the front, hoard everybody into the front room." The detectives quietly got into position. Lundy held tight until he heard the splintering of wood as Lafiamma kicked in the front door.
The entrance of the detectives sent the place into wild commotion as junkies ran in all directions, looking for an escape. Guns drawn the two detectives quickly diffused the situation rounding up the handful of degenerates into the front room. They were lined up against the wall and frisked. All had drugs and drug paraphernalia on or around them. Some even had weapons, Lundy quickly snatched up the incriminating evidence as Lafiamma started cuffing the suspects. "This is a bust!! I'm sure your all familiar with the drill!" Lundy exclaimed as he bagged the drugs and guns. "The first deadbeat to tell us where we can find Ramon Alverez takes a walk. The rest go downtown." Lafiamma announced as he pushed each man to his knees. One boy turned and faced Lundy. "He's not here." The boy exclaimed as Lafiamma cuffed him. "No kidding genius, we want to know where he is, and we want to know NOW! Lafiamma hollered as he picked the kid up by the shirt collar and slammed his face against the plaster chipped wall. Lundy took a step back, gun in hand canvassing the room.
"I saw him earlier scoring at the underpass, near the Galleria, they were cookin up down under the bridge, haven't seen him since." Tears streamed down the poor boys face as his knees shook with fear. Lafiamma released his grip on the boy's neck, nodding toward Lundy. Both detectives began uncuffing the pathetic band of junkies, "Thank you very much gentleman, it's been a pleasure, we'll be keeping the stash and your weapons, unless any of you want to produce a permit." Lundy exclaimed as he restored his cuffs to their holder. Eyes glanced from man to man in silence, "Didn't think so!" Lafiamma followed Lundy through the front door, placing his guns back in their holsters.

(1232 I40 Underpass)

"Wake up you shit! Focus Ramon." Yelled Lafiamma as he kicked the sleeping form of Ramon Alverez. The small frail Cuban man jolted at the kicks, "Hey man what's your problem!" He exclaimed straining to focus on Lafiamma who squatted beside him. Lundy waited in the Jimmy across the street keeping a vigilant eye on his partner. Joe seized Ramon by the shirt and hoisted him to his feet, "Still fillin up on smack huh Ray?" asked Lafiamma, as he grabbed Ramon's arm and pulled it around his back with one hand, searching the kids pockets with the other, ignoring the loud protests, Joe pulled out a bag of heroin from one pocket and a knife from the other. "Well, I guess once a scumbag, always a scumbag!" Joe observed as he began shoving Ramon towards the corner. With each step forward Joe taunted the kid about prison, distracting the young man as they walked.
Lundy watched as he put the Jimmy in drive, not knowing what Lafiamma was up to, inching down the street, he followed Lafiamma still shouting across the intersection onto the next block. Lafiamma backed the kid up against a black rod iron fence. "Your under arrest Alverez, possession with intent to distribute…… in a school zone no less. Shameful!" Joe slammed Ramon up against the fence; he stared in watching the rain hit the swing set in the elementary school play yard, cursing himself for being so stupid. Lundy chuckled as he approached his partner. "You have the right to remain silent," said Joey as the cuffs zipped onto Ray's wrists. "The is Bullshit Joe! You know I aint no dealer!"
"What is this your third arrest this year for possession, no more rehab for you kiddo, this one is gonna give ya some serious time, especially when we get some cute impressionable seven year olds to parade in front of a jury, they love to nail dirt bags who corrupt infants." Joe smiled at Levon who interjected, "Unless ya want to get us up to speed on your little secret society." Alverez looked confused, "What you talking about cop?" "The Scorpions, their little showdown last night, you start talking and maybe we give you back your freedom." Ramon looked down at the ground, then focused on Joe, after a thoughtful pause, feeling the cold steel handcuffs gripping his wrists, he asked, "Whadda ya wanna know?"

(1415 Bullpen H.P.D)

Lafiamma typed vigorously, hammering out their third report, pausing only to stuff French fries into his already full mouth. Lundy sat across from him reading each line, trying hard not to get BBQ sauce on any of the pages. The detectives learned to master the art of the working lunch. Both men were pros by now, especially perfecting the very difficult, eating while on high-speed pursuit, not many cops master that level of the game. Their little rendezvous with Alverez put them on the trail of two other suspects who would be able to fill in the missing blanks, he also tipped them off to an illegal OTB Bar, the 'Hacienda' where most of the better-known scorpions frequented. A great place for some wires, then the real information would flow. "You think this wet end is reliable?" Lundy questioned taking a huge bite of his BBQ sandwich. "HELL NO! But if we can sit on this 'Hacienda' for a while we can substantiate it ourselves, I would never go for a warrant with just that little rats ramblings, after lunch we'll go check it out." Joey answered, gulping down the rest of his soda. Levon stapled the reports together and both detectives signed and checked them over, before dropping them in Joanne's incoming box.
Lundy grabbed his coat watching Lafiamma stuff the rest of his lunch in his mouth all at once. "Ya know Joe, we should have put our vests on before we went in that crack house this morning, the Lieutenant warned us to start wearing them for everything now that this ammo hit the streets." Joey shrugged, while still chewing, "No big deal Lundy, we forgot I'm not a big fan of Kevlar anyway, it's too bulky." Joe added as he slid his badge around his undone belt and threw his raincoat over his colorful clothes. Lafiamma all but forgot about resembling cousin Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies, once he was hot on the job.
The whole way downtown Lundy and Lafiamma argued about how they treat their snitches, Lundy prefers the payment technique while Lafiamma has always been a fan of the intimidation, fear of arrest, slap them around routine. Lundy will buy them lunch, while Lafiamma will spit in their face, both methods had their advantages and both men knew how to play off each other to squeeze the information out. Regardless of how opposite the men were, they were in total agreement that any informant should be tested and evaluated before even being considered reliable, and this Ramon Alverez was shaky and not yet informant material.

(1530 The Hacienda Bar and Grill)

The weather had eased up a bit as the rain died down to a drizzle, the wind still howled fierce as Lafiamma and Lundy scoped out the parking area and front entrance of the seedy establishment. From a distance they observed numerous characters come in and out, drive up and away, quite a few familiar license plates and associates passed through the doors. "This place could be a goldmine." Exclaimed Lundy as he peered through a pair of small binoculars. Joey scribbled notes and numbers furiously in his notepad as the two men staked out the bar. The place was huge from the outside, at least three stories from what could be seen, but the detectives weren't satisfied. "Wanna go get a drink Lundy, maybe play some pool?" Joey suggested as a large grin enveloped his excited face.
The two men hurried inside the bar, which was crawling with patrons despite the early hour and horrid weather. Lafiamma and Lundy made their way to the main bar and took some seats. The cliental was mostly Hispanic and Cuban so Lundy took off his cowboy hat to somewhat blend with his surroundings. Joey deducted the place probably didn't have much of a wine list so they decided to nurse a couple beers. Both detectives' eyes wandered effectively around the room, soaking in information like two well-oiled machines. Schematic, exits, clients, tattoos, anything that would help further their investigation. Lundy glanced at Lafiamma with a panicked look, "Loose the coat, Joey you look like a trooper!" Joe quickly wiggled out of the police issued raincoat and placed it on the floor, both men checked to see that their badges were safely hidden away and out of sight under their shirts. No one seemed to notice their actions and activity continued as people ate, drank, played pool and watched TV milling around with each other, lost in conversation.
Every other man seemed to have a scorpion tattooed to his neck, hard to believe this was a murderers badge given the sheer volume of the things. "Lots of heat in this room." Lafiamma observed as he felt for his colts under the flannel shirt. Lundy nodded in agreement as his eyes glanced around the bar. Joe stood up and approached a group playing darts in the corner, "Hey man, a buddy of mine told me I could lay down some green in here, who's taking?" A longhaired oriental looking biker pointed to the back room, "Through the door, see the barman, his names Frank." Lafiamma turned with his hands in his pockets and began for the other room, passing Lundy he winked and preceded through a set of double-hinged wooden doors into the next room.
Lundy remained seated with his eyes and attention frozen on the entrance to the back room, his hand brushing over his own concealed weapon. After a few minutes Lafiamma reemerged with a sheepish grin, trudging back to Lundy dragging the heavy timberlands across the floor. "There's at least three more rooms on this level alone, not to mention the upstairs. Lundy you go look for the bathroom."
Lafiamma plopped back down on the bar stool as Lundy rose and headed up a stairwell. When he reached the top a burly man with a bandana and sunglasses stopped him in the hall, "Can I help you partner?" he grunted as he stepped in front of Lundy. "I'm just looking for the bathrooms." Lundy visually frisked the man before him, noting two big guns holstered under each arm. "Back downstairs and to the right, this floor is off limits, employees only!" Lundy apologized and returned back down the stairs to an anxiously awaiting Lafiamma.
Both men left their beers half empty on the bar and walked out the front door. "I think the upstairs needs a bit of an inspection, it's off limits, and screams go away!" Lundy exclaimed as the detectives hopped into the red truck. "Last call is at two a.m. but something tells me not for everyone." Lafiamma stated throwing his raincoat into the backseat. The Jimmy sped away, burning rubber as it turned the corner.

(1545 Bullpen H.P.D)

This time Lundy typed the reports as Lafiamma threw a hard ball against the wall, catching it in a worn mitt around his hand. From the numerous black smudges in the paint one could tell he practiced his pitch frequently. "Don't forget we got this task force thing at 1630, EVERYDAY!" Lundy moaned as he ripped the paper from the machine. Lafiamma swiveled around in his chair to face Levon, "I never cared for Task Forces, I think they're a waste of time, always having meetings and conferences, lots of talk and NO action!" Joe exclaimed as he threw the ball in the air, Lundy snatched it out of midair while placing the reports in front of Joe. "They're necessary Lafiamma, lots of different crimes go into this one, we cant be stepping on each others toes and doing double work, put us together we get the job done quicker and more efficient." Explained Lundy as he popped the top on a soda.
Lafiamma signed off on the reports and placed them in the growing incoming box on Joanne's desk. It seems McCandless and Gutierrez were also uncovering good tips as well. Joe picked up the reports and scanned through, sneaking a peak at the other two detectives work. Lafiamma and Lundy continued to squeeze the NCIC and DMV computers for matches to the unidentified scorpions they observed at the Hacienda as well as combing through dusty mug books, deciding to stay in the squad room until their four thirty task force conference.
The meeting started at 1630 sharp, at least twenty officers from Major Crimes, Narcotics, Vice and Organized Crime filled the room in addition to the Assistant District Attorney Charles Barnett and his second chair Ross Meyers. The discovery portion of the meeting uncovered a huge leap forward in their investigation, it seems at least four informants substantiated that the shipment was a personal one, an order the scorpions placed with a supplier in Dallas, it was a custom order for them to use on a job and not a supply line of illegal weapons into Houston, they were merely picking up the guns when the patrol unit busted them. It seems from much of the evidence gathered that the scorpions are going to hit a big time drug shipment coming into port in Galveston sometime soon.
A.D.A. Barnett agreed to draft a court order asking a judge for electronic surveillance on the Hacienda. The task force can't make a move to bring down the scorpions till they have cold hard evidence of their illegal activities. The group was sitting on the threshold of the biggest contraband bust in Texas history they had to act fast and they had to tread cautiously. Although the magnitude of the case was vast, in light of the new evidence, Lt. Beaumont consistently argued that Major Crimes should be pulled from the task force, now that the investigation was steering toward a drug ring, she felt it was a clear cut Narcotics/Organized Crime violation and she wanted her detectives out.
Barnett wouldn't hear it, although they were only one day into the case, the men were too valuable to pull, despite the Lieutenant's strong reservations. Lafiamma and Lundy sat amidst the other Detectives, quietly listening to their boss argue about jurisdiction and violation. "I don't like this Lafiamma, Joanne looks mighty agitated what do you think is wrong?" Lundy questioned, visibly alarmed at Beaumont's about face. "She's right, why should we take a Teflon shower when this criminal case has nothing to do with our unit, it's almost like their using us, we got plenty of our own work to do around this city." Lafiamma answered continuing to scribble aimlessly into a notebook, not paying much attention to the almost boring meeting.
The general consensus agreed, the three guys from NARC just giggled and whispered to each other throughout the whole conference, McCandless looked as though he may have been cutting coupons and Gutierrez was sound asleep. The only two Detectives to be even remotely interested in the meeting were Lundy of course, and Herc Ramos from the Vice Unit. Ramos must have been transcripting the meeting verbatim, the way he was furiously writing in his notebook.
After a grueling three-hour conference the meeting was adjourned, Lafiamma stood bolt upright, stretching and yawning loudly, somewhat overly dramatic for the benefit of the chain of command. The other Detectives laughed as they exited, amused at Lafiamma's comic antics. "Hey Groucho, long time no see Lafiamma, how's it going?" Detective Ramos reached out his hand and shook Joe's vigorously. Lundy glanced at Lafiamma with wonder. "We were at the academy together Lundy, we competed neck and neck for the top two spots in every area, I always won!" Ramos chuckled as Lafiamma introduced Lundy to the colorful Detective. "Hercules, that's an unusual name?" Lundy observed as he shook the Detectives hand. "His mother thought very highly of him." Lafiamma joked, his familiar grim emerging. The three men walked out into the hall, just as Joanne was coming into the stairwell, Lundy excused himself and followed her up to the bullpen, as Lafiamma and Ramos caught up on old times.

(1930 Beaumont's Office)

Joanne began collecting her personal things, ready to call it a day, as Lundy entered the office. "Hey Jo, got a minute?" he asked as he leaned against the door jam. "Make it quick Levon, I got to catch the train home, long day you know." Joanne slammed her purse on the desk rummaging for something inside, her demeanor showed she was stressed about something. "I couldn't help notice your opinions of this case downstairs, got something ya wanna share with me?" Lundy took off his cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his wavy hair. Joanne plopped into her chair and sighed. "We go back a long way Lundy, we were partners for god's sake, so I know I can't run one by you, you know how I get that feeling."
Lundy moved over and positioned himself in the chair facing his Lieutenant. "I'm well aware of your sixth sense on cases Jo, and you usually have a pretty good track record. Do you think you might be reading a bit of the McAllister thing into this one?"
Years back while Lundy and Beaumont were partners; they worked seven months solid on a case involving custom modified weapons. Hugh McAllister was the primary suspect; he was a prominent Houston businessman, who made most of his money running illegal weapons to Mexico. When it came time for the bust, it went down bad, a lot of cops got shot up pretty bad, including Joanne, it took years for her to put the events behind her and heal, both physically and mentally. It was an enormous effort to wear her badge with confidence after the colossal failure. Instead of embracing the ailing officers and praising them for their bravery, the bureaucracy, blamed the fiasco on the ill prepared police officers and chastised them. It was a serious black mark for the department.
Lundy's mind briefly wandered back to the events of that case, a sneer emerging as the scenes flooded back. "I wouldn't dwell to much on the similarities, these cases are like apples and oranges, bottom lines we got to get the gang with the fancy guns behind bars were they belong, so nobody gets hurt." Joanne nodded with reluctance and let out a pained sigh. Lundy rose from his chair and dawned his hat as he offered an arm to Joanne, "Come on boss, I'll drop ya home."
Joanne and Levon strolled through the bullpen as Lafiamma was coming through the door experiencing what seemed to be a sneezing fit. "God Bless Joe, told ya you could catch your death out there. You okay?" Joanne asked, a bit concerned. "Just dust, I'm fine MOM!" He answered through a tissue, half giggling. "See ya tomorrow Lafiamma and don't be late or we'll dock ya this time." Lundy smiled as the couple exited the room waving.

CHAPTER II

The case was rolling full steam ahead the last several weeks, the task force received a green light for the electrical surveillance and the Technical Squad littered the Hacienda with listening devices, every room was hotwired with bugs and cameras to monitor the activity. The second floor seemed to be the hot spot, deals being made, plans being discussed, guns and money being moved. The scorpions worked day and night planning to hit their target. The detectives put in massive amounts of overtime just trying to keep up with the gang's dealings. Lafiamma and Ramos proved invaluable in translating the stacks of transcripts from the wires, both men were fluent in Cuban, which was the scorpion's secret language of choice.
A sorted cast of main characters emerged as the case moved into phase two, it seemed as though their main objective was to hit a Turkish cargo vessel as it steamed passed Galveston Bay, the vessel was supposed to be loaded with drugs headed for an unknown destination. The information seemed to be accurate as a vessel named the Jewel embarked from Istanbul and planned to be in the area of Galveston sometime in the next month, Interpol confirmed it could be the target as the liner is known to be connected to the black market.

(0920 Wire Room H.P.D.)

Joey sat exhausted at the wire console listening aimlessly to scorpions ramble on about useless transactions, at the tail end of his double shift he waited for his relief, who was already an hour late. Lundy entered the room chipper and bright, "Good morning sunshine, you look like shit." Joe rubbed his swollen eyes as he switched off the wire and placed the headphones down around his neck.
The room was small with no windows or ambience as Lafiamma referred to it. It consisted of ten listening consoles littered with charts, photos and scraps of paper full of hand scribbled notations. On the far side was a metal shelf with hundreds of cassettes and logbooks; various translators sat silently monitoring the consoles and gathering info, scribbling furiously in their logbooks. The room was so quiet only the prominent hum of the machinery could be heard, a cops worst nightmare, getting rostered for Title III duty.
Lafiamma sipped his steaming coffee as he let out two raspy coughs. Lundy took a closer look at his not so peppy partner. "You okay Joe, you look a little under the weather, he asked. "I think I caught a cold from being out in the rain for the past few weeks, I feel like shit and I pulled three doubles this week, not enough goddamned translators. I do ten hours on the street and then six in this pit, I need a vacation!" Levon shook his head with alarm, "This is too much, we gotta talk to Joanne and get you outta this mess." Joe nodded in agreement as he blew his nose. Crumpling up the tissue he threw it in a small pile forming on the floor.
"Hey I heard remnants of your patio furniture emerged across town." Lundy joked trying to get his partner to laugh, just then a small stout, older gentlemen ran briskly through the door, "Sorry I'm late Joey, I had trouble getting a sitter for my kid." The two men exchanged pleasantries in Cuban as Joey cleaned up his mountain of tissues. Lundy waited patiently at the door for his lagging partner.
As the two men walked through the parking garage, Lundy pulled a stack of index cards from the pocket of his denim jacket, "You missed roll call this morning again, as of today all leads are going to be dispersed on three by five cards, and the cards are to be attached to your report when you hand it in." Joey hissed in disgust, "Why do I feel like a fed all of a sudden, this is the kind of bullshit that makes cops nuts, index cards, task forces, conferences. Is this a case or a seminar?" Joe shook his head as he eased into the passenger side of Lundy's truck. Levon handed Joe the cards as he started the red Jimmy and backed out of the space. "This looks interesting, I heard some of this on the wire last night." Joe stated as he thumbed through the leads. "Yeah they supposedly got a bunch of boats and vehicles stashed away down there, I figured we go and check it out today." Lundy answered easing the truck into oncoming traffic. "We got to make a coffee run first, I need caffeine and aspirin in the worst way." Joe moaned as he wrenched his tired eyes. "Ya know Joe if you're not up for this we can turn around." Lundy asked a bit concerned. "Naw, It's no big deal, I'll snap out of it when we get on the road.
As two detectives barreled down the interstate, Joe followed along on a huge fold out map; the window was all the way down causing a wind tunnel in the cab of the Jimmy. "Lafiamma could you please ease up on that window a bit, I'm freezing my back side off." Lundy complained as he held his Stetson in place with one hand and steadied the truck with the other. "Sorry Lundy, I'm sweatin to death in here, turn off on the next exit and make a right, we'll follow that road about ten miles." Joe wriggled out of his gray sweater revealing a sweat soaked white button down and his brown double shoulder holsters, tossing the garment into the back seat; he began trying to refold the map with much difficulty.
The Jimmy turned the corner and crawled down the start of a dry dirt road, the tires kicking up swirls of dust "Now it should be here on the right, just do a slow by Lundy, we'll case the perimeter a few times in case they have guards posted around." Lafiamma reached under the seat and pulled out a pair of large binoculars, unhooking his seat belt. The jimmy coasted by a large cyclone gate with a razor wire weaved along the top. Two huge signs hand painted urged strangers to KEEP OUT!
"Up there!" Lundy pointed in the distance the hint of a winding road peeking through the trees about a hundred feet up a canyon embankment. "We outta be able to get a good peek inside from there." Fifteen minutes later the detectives parked the truck behind some brush in the canyon and made their way to the overlook. Crouching down both men began scanning the property with binoculars. "I see at least four speed boats parked down there, looks like fast ones too. Good for a get away." Lundy observed crawling forward to get a better look. "Do you see any scorpions?" Joe asked squinting through his own set of high-powered lenses. "None, place looks deserted."
Just as Lundy finished his sentence a barrage of gunfire whizzed through the trees above the men's heads, showering them with leaves and branches. Joe and Levon took cover behind the brush, brandishing their own weapons fast and furious. "HEAD FOR THE TRUCK! I can't see where it's coming from." Levon hollered, as he and Joe kept low to the ground, hurrying back to the truck. The gunfire ceased momentarily as Joe heard tire squeals faint in the distance. "I think were gonna have company real soon." He exclaimed as the detectives leapt into the cab of the red Jimmy. Levon hit the gas sending the truck careening back onto the road, burning rubber down the narrow dirt path. Joe called in for back up, wildly scrambling for his seat belt.
A sharp left curve brought the panicked detectives head on with a black speeding Jeep Cherokee. "LOOK OUT!" Joe yelled as he instinctively raised his hand in front of his face. Levon scrambled fast, screeching the Jimmy off the road and into a ditch. Before Levon's eyes focused, Joe was out of the truck on foot, guns in the air, "POLICE OFFICERS!! FREEZE!! HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!!" The Cherokee's bumper hugged the trunk of a large tree, steam rising from the crumpled hood as dazed hands began emerging from inside. Levon followed behind his partner, gun drawn, "OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND STEP OUT SLOWLY! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!!" Levon cautioned as blood trickled from a swollen purplish bruise rising over his right eye. Both detectives positioned themselves on either side of the jeep, as Joe dropped to one knee, both colts pointed square at the assailants. Four rugged scorpions peeled out of the truck, hands raised high in the air. Levon had the men lay face down on the dirt road and began cuffing and patting down, while Joe secured the car keys in his pocket and began emptying the arsenal in the back seat.
Just then four patrol units came on the scene, sirens wailing. Levon waved them through, as he joined Joe by the side of the Jeep. Police officers scrambled out joining the detectives. "Read them their rights officers, Levon yelled as the cops quickly took control of the suspects. Joe and Levon flashed their badges as the cops hoarded the scorpions into the squad cars.
"Impressive!" Joe remarked as he displayed the weapons a top the hood, "These are M16A1 and CAR 15 assault rifles, MP5 sub machine guns, Lundy the god damned Delta Force uses weapons like these, these baby's are one hundred percent accurate at six hundred and fifty yards, ninety percent at eleven hundred yards, this is heavy duty hardware." Lundy sighed, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief. "We don't know what were up against, hey you okay?" Joe questioned, moving in for a closer look at Lundy's head. "I'm fine, hit my head when we went into that ditch." Joe winced at the unsightly bruise. "I should be asking you the same thing partner, you doin okay?" Levon questioned a bit of sarcasm underneath his Texas drawl.
"Sure why wouldn't I be?" Joe asked, not knowing where Lundy was heading with his line of questioning. "Well ya been sneezing and hacking for a week solid, and today you looked like you stepped outta a sauna in 40 degree weather, we cant have you running around Houston armed, sportin a fever, it's dangerous!" "Lundy, your crazy, I'M FINE!! You're my partner, not my mother." Joe quipped angrily as he secured and unloaded the newly acquired weapons.
The detectives along with the other officers processed the crime scene and cleaned out the clearing, seizing four stolen speed boats, three unidentified vans and more boxes of weapons and modified ammunition. Sure enough there were over forty cases of the Teflon coated Armour piercing hollow points, oddly enough these were the same killing devices whizzing over Joe and Levon's heads just a few hours ago, and of course neither man dawned a Kevlar vest for protection.

(1315 Bullpen H.P.D.)

Lafiamma and Lundy entered the room to a standing ovation from their colleagues "Job well done boys!" Joanne smiled as she approached her weary detectives, shaking their hands vigorously. In addition to McCandles and Gutierrez, Detectives Carol O'Brien and Annie Hartung were back from vacation, looking both beautiful and bronze. "My my, look at you guys! Haven't seen you two since you flew off to Santa Monica!" Joe greeted the girls, with a hug and a peck on the cheek. Leaning down to face Annie in her wheelchair, the two exchanged large grins. Hartung has been paralyzed for some time when a stray bullet ended her career as a detective.
Lundy plopped exhausted at his desk as Carol and Annie converged on Joey with pictures and stories from California. Making eye contact with Joanne, Lundy silently gestured at her to meet him in her office. The two crept unnoticed inside and eased the door closed with the hint of a click from the lock.
'What's up Levon?" She asked concerned, reading her friend like a book. "I'm worried about Joey, ya got to get him off that wire, it's not that I don't trust him to back me up, but he's tired, and getting sick and that plays on even the best cops judgment. He needs a break, a few days off to regroup and get back to a hundred percent." Joanne shook her head, "What do ya mean Levon, he hasn't said anything to me about not feeling good." "And he won't you know Joey, his head is as hard as a rock, but he's showing signs of a nasty flu, and sixteen to eighteen hour days are making it worse." Joanne paused silent in thought for a moment. "Okay Lundy I'll talk to Lafiamma, I got to hear what he has to say before I do anything, after your little party this morning the wires are going nuts. This thing is moving fast and we need all the help we can get. I won't jeopardize Joe for a case, but I can't force him off unless he does something blatantly negligent." Lundy sighed in disgust, "Unfortunately in this line of work, that could be too late L.T." Lundy's remarks stung, as Joanne winced and nodded, old feelings swirling through her gut "Duly noted Detective, Duly noted."

(1430 Bullpen)

Lundy sat hammering away at the computer, whizzing through his fourth report of the day's events, an apple secured in his teeth as he concentrated on the screen. The serene silence of the room was quickly broken as Lafiamma stormed in like a hurricane. "LUNDY! What did you tell Joanne about me this afternoon, she wants me to back off and do three days R & R! ARE YOU CRAZY!" Joe yelled fiercely as he kicked a rolling chair clear cross the room. Lundy sat unnerved, apple still dangling from his mouth, as he was quite used to his Sicilian partners anger induced tirades. Joe continued to dig into Lundy, arms flailing wildly in the air "I'm not about to slave on a big case for weeks and then back off just when it's gonna break. I just heard from Ramos that were gonna move on the Hacienda day after tomorrow, there's no way I'm sitting this one out cowboy, NO WAY!"
Levon spit the apple into his hand, taken aback by his partners' news flash, as Joey folded his arms in protest. "Day after tomorrow?" Lundy questioned as he swiveled to face Joe. "You got it man, after today the scorpions are shakin in their boots and if we don't move now they could run." Levon sat silent soaking in the information, as Joey leaned against the counter, "Look Lundy, I'm telling you I'm fine, it really hurts that you'd think I'd do anything to put you in danger or that I wouldn't be there to back you up when the shit hit the fan. I'd think after all this time you'd know me better, that you'd trust my ability as a cop. I can't believe you'd go behind my back like that."
"Hold On Joe!" Lundy tried to convince Lafiamma that he was just looking out for him, that he had genuine concerns for Joey's welfare not his own and that once again Joe got his wires crossed and was reading the wrong angle into Lundy's little meeting with Beaumont. "Look Boy, lets get some BBQ at Chicken's and talk this thing through, no need to get all twisted outta shape."

(1500 CHICKEN'S)

Chicken's was the detectives home away from home, a down home southern eatery cops frequented a bit too much, there were more badges at chickens at any given time than at an F.O.P. picnic. The place was owned and operated by a portly, happy go lucky black man named Chicken, with a large toothy grin and an even larger appetite for fried foods. Chicken and the boys go way back, they embraced the large man as a confidant; Chicken gave more advice and listened to more woes than Dear Abby herself. He loves Lafiamma and Lundy like a father loves his sons and holds both men in very high regard.
"Afternoon Boys! Rumor on the street says you two broke up quite a party today!" Chicken smiled as he seated Joe and Levon, handing the detectives menus. All three smiled, "Yeah it was loads of fun as usual." Levon joked as he placed his Stetson on the seat next to him. "Woo Wee Joey, you sure look tired, let me get you boys some coffee while you decide what ya want, special today is shredded BBQ pork, Chicken's other specialty." The rotund man bounded back to the kitchen as Joe grimaced at Levon. "What didja call ahead and ask Chicken to back you up?" Levon rolled his eyes at the typical way the gears in his partner's thick head turned.
"NO, I didn't call Chicken, the man's only stating the obvious, Joe, your run down, your tired, and fighting a nasty cold. Your putting in eighteen hour days at the station, sooner or later, your gonna crash and I don't want to see it happen in the middle of a firefight. I'm not worried about you getting my back, I know by now when I turn around you're there. I put my full faith in ya everyday; I'm just looking out for YOU! That's what partners do for each other." Joe looked sullenly down at the table, wanting desperately to apologize, but couldn't bring the words, "I'm sorry" to the surface, so he mustered up the next best thing, "I know." Lundy smiled breezing through the menu, "Apology Accepted!" He quipped, almost reading Joey's mind.
Both men dug into lunch, the usual, a heap of hickory smoked barbeque ribs, Joe filled Levon in on what he heard about the raid, "they're gonna announce today at briefing were picking them all up day after tomorrow, at the crack of dawn. The whole Hacienda is going down. We'll plan everything tomorrow and get our equipment, and then I figure they'll split us up into four man groups. Five teams to execute over forty warrants, that's slim pickings."
Levon didn't like the odds, "Were out numbered two to one, and their guns are bigger." Joe shrugged, "so we'll have to work harder and faster than usual, no big deal, we'll get it done. We got a good group of seasoned cops, it should be a cake walk." Joe didn't seem the least bit worried, he'd been through so many of these things the work began to feel commonplace. Lundy on the other hand felt shaky; he knew shorthanded round ups could get ugly. Shades of the McAllister fiasco ran through his mind. Joe interrupted, "Ramos swears their gonna make him a point man." Levon's brow furrowed at the thought, "Do you think he's okay?" He asked not knowing much about the man. "He's not bad, his ego's pretty big, and he gets a little bossy, but I'd follow in on his word, he was number two in our graduating class." Joe seemed confident in the young Sergeants' capability, and Levon trusted Joe, as long as Lafiamma and Lundy ended up on the same team, who lead point really didn't matter.
(1630 Police Briefing Room)

The meeting was buzzing today, overhead projectors, full-scale maps; the audiovisual squad must have been working overtime last night. Barnett and Meyers, along with the Lieutenants of each unit ran the show. Joe was on the money with his assumptions, five four man teams would execute, not only all the arrest warrants, but five separate search and seizure warrants, signed sealed and delivered just this morning. After this week, the entire Houston Scorpion ring would be behind bars, all of their assets seized and forfeited, sweet justice for the city of Houston, and a monumental victory for the Department. Barnett took center stage as he painstakingly ran through the mountain of incriminating evidence the police had acquired against the band of criminals.
"In short, we have enough evidence to make thirty separate counts of six major offenses, including murder, on each of our primary targets stick, these men will be going away for probably the rest of their natural lives. Thanks to your efforts on this case." Barnett finished to the scattered applause of numerous detectives around the room. "There was nothing in short about that speech!" Lafiamma joked as he glanced through his notes.
Lundy and Lafiamma ended up on the primary team, accompanied by Ramos and a wet end rookie named Michael Garcetti. Garcetti was fresh off the uniform beat; this was his first case as a detective. "Welcome to the party Mikey, Lundy joked as he patted the boy on the back, "You ready for this?" The young man nodded with reluctance, his body stiff with anxiety. Ramos leaned in between Lundy and Garcetti, interjecting "He'll be fine, just pay attention to us and stay alert, never let your guard down until you're sure you made a clean sweep." Lundy rolled his eyes at Lafiamma observing Ramos stepping into his newly acquired leadership role as point man. Lafiamma shrugged as the four detectives began going over their instructions.

(0900-1700 Preparation Day)

It was zero minus twenty hours till kick off time and the task force spent the entire day planning their execution. By now the bosses had the drill so perfected, that a blind man could navigate the hacienda without aid, and the men knew their targets better than their own mothers. Nothing was left to chance; even the gear handed out was on loan from the mighty Federal Bureau of Investigation, including, heavy-duty vests and powerful MP9 semi automatic rifles. If anything at least it would be a fair fight, even firepower.
"I'm not wearing no helmet, not on my head, no way!" Lundy complained as he glanced over the black Kevlar raid headwear. Joanne sighed as Lafiamma knocked on the heavy plastic visor, "Me neither, you can't see through these things." He agreed as he plunked the heavy object down on the table, "Arghhh…" Joanne growled at the contempt of her two detectives. "Of course were not going to force you boys, but I have to STRONGLY recommend that you both dawn every piece of protective equipment given to you, is that clear!" Lundy and Lafiamma nodded like two chastised schoolboys. "This is not a game, these suspects are dangerous, and they won't give up without a good fight, now they know were closing in on them and they're on guard, we can't expect to breeze in that place without any resistance." Joanne wagged her finger in both men's faces, her voice rising with each word passing through her tense lips. "Easy L.T. no need to give yourself a coronary." Lundy placed a consoling hand on Joanne's shaking arm. "Yeah, we'll be fine." Lafiamma encouraged, looking on a bit confused.
"I'm sorry, I just don't think you guys appreciate the seriousness of this particular situation, this case is rushed, it's big and I don't agree that we should execute these warrants like this, but the D.A wants his glory, he wants his page one crackdown on crime for all to see, and were the guinea pigs that got to do all the dirty work, and risk everything!" Joanne pulled away from Lundy's reach and stormed from the room outwardly angry and tense.
"Man is she worked up." Lafiamma said, hoisting himself up on the large conference table. "Lundy shook his head, "She's got issues with this one partner, and I have to admit I agree with her. It would be just as effective to round these jokers up one at' a time, but hey, no fuss, no glory." Lundy fixed his Stetson atop his head, his jaw tight with worry. "Don't sweat it Lundy, we've done thousands of busts, just handle this one like all the rest." Joey spun the helmet like a top as he leapt from the table. Walking away with his tell tale Chicago strut, Levon thought to himself, "I wish I could Joey, I wish I could."

(0400 Showtime)

The sun was still asleep as the task force milled around the garage tending to last minute details, each detective decked out in full raid attire, vests, jackets, some even wore the dreaded helmets. Each man was wired with two-way radios and armed with assault rifles; they were as ready as they'll ever be. Lundy sat on the bumper of one of the many wagons being used in today's operation, waiting patiently for his team to get together. Garcetti walked up, aimlessly trying to secure his vest, "Am I doing this right?" he asked frustrated at his inexperience.
Lundy rose and began to help the kid with his equipment as Ramos walked briskly by the two, caught up in what seemed like everyone else's job but his own. Lundy eyed the detective with reluctance, an uneasy feeling welling up in his stomach, "Mike, have you seen Lafiamma yet?" he asked as he buttoned the last few snaps on the kids jacket. "Yeah he's been in the bathroom for about a half an hour now, I just saw him." "Wait here, we'll be right back." Lundy walked quickly to the far end of the garage, pausing just short of the men's room door, placing his ear against it; he strained to hear what his partner was doing inside. He could faintly detect his partners coughing fit as he swung the door opened and bounded inside.
"What the hell's going on Joey?" He yelled at Lafiamma who was leaning on one knee inside the stall. As the toilet flushed, Joe swung open the door and emerged "Nothing Lundy, it's not what it looks like." Joe walked over to the sink and splashed water on his face to hide the beads of sweat already forming on his forehead. "I'm blowing the whistle on you! There is no way in hell your going in that building LAFIAMMA!" Lundy yelled angrily, placing his hands on his hips. "You can't do that Lundy, think of the kid." "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TALKIN ABOUT!!" Lundy screamed, backing his partner into a corner. "Garcetti!" Joe snapped back, "You want Ramos covering his tail, we can't break up the team now, it would be too dangerous." Just as Joe tried to reason with Lundy, Ramos swung the door open, popping his head inside he yelled, "Let's roll guys….On the double." Levon looked at Ramos then back at Joe again. Wrapping his fists around Lafiamma's collar, he warned, "I got my eyes on you Joey, you watch your step, you dig me!" Levon's eyes went black with anger as he shoved Lafiamma through the door.
The wagons and vans left the parking garage like a circus caravan, following closely behind one another, hastily speeding toward the drop zone. Lafiamma pulled the straps tight around his vest and swung his gun over his shoulder, glancing at his partner sitting across from him. You could see the veins in Lundy's neck bulging with anger as he stared coldly at his partner. Joey wiped his nose and rubbed his eyes as he began to mentally prepare himself for the event.
A last minute radio check before the countdown, Lafiamma and Lundy's team were to go straight through the front door, as the van came to a halt, Ramos stood by the doors waiting for the green light over his radio. "GO! He screamed as the double doors opened, the van emptied and the officers leapt to the ground and took off running. With a swift kick to the front door Ramos lead his team into the establishment, Lundy could hear the roar of police choppers overhead as their search lights strobed through the open windows. Chaos erupted as the cops announced the raid to the stunned scorpions inside. Windows could be heard shattering nearby as the other teams converged on the property.
Lundy quickly evaluated the room as Garcetti and Lafiamma began tackling suspects and pushing them to the floor. "RAMOS! COVER THE ENTRANCES, WE"LL SECURE THE ROOM." He yelled as he joined Joey and Mike with cuffing and patting the suspects. "Lundy one broke free, he's heading your way!" the radio blared. Levon backed against the wall, gun drawn, judging the bounding sounds down the stairwell he swooped out with an elbow, knocking the large bolting suspect to the ground, kicking a large shiv across the floorboards, Lundy cuffed the bruiser and searched his pockets. The shuffle of heavy boots and commotion could be heard throughout the other rooms as officers rounded up suspects. Garcetti shined as he took his cues from Joey and Levon, his adrenaline pumping the rookie was doing good work, alert to his surroundings, unabated by the commotion and effective, for his first raid he holding his own well.
Lundy glanced over his shoulder for Ramos, who was supposed to be covering the door, when he discovered the detective was nowhere to be found. "JESUS CHRIST! He panicked as he realized there was no cover backing them up. "Son of a bitch!" Lundy grabbed hold of his gun, crouching down, he covered the door as Joey and Mike finished hog-tying their suspects. "Lafiamma take point, were going upstairs." Lundy yelled bringing up the rear. "Ramos went ahead, that asshole!" Joey shook his head as he led the group up the winding stair well. The men stayed close to the wall, guns drawn as they reached the empty hall. Ramos appeared at the far end motioning the team to follow him in. Lundy shook his head in protest.
"IS IT ALL CLEAR, HERC?" Joey yelled taking cover behind the wall, putting his arm over the rookie's chest was a gesture to tell the kid to sit tight. Lundy could hear his own heart beat in the silence as he assessed the situation. "IT"S CLEAR, MOVE OUT!" Ramos shouted as he stepped back readying himself to kick down the closed door. Just as Lafiamma rose to join Ramos, he saw a small red sight flash across Mike's head. "GET DOWN!!!" He yelled shoving the rookie into Lundy with all his might sending the two of them head first down the stairs. As Lundy hit the floor at the bottom of the stairwell he heard gunfire explode on the second floor.
"OH SHIT!!" He screamed as he and Mike scrambled to get to their feet, "shots fired" blaring over their radios. Lundy darted up the stairs and was met by a dead scorpion sprawled bloody on the floor of the landing where Joe was last seen. Lundy raced down the hall and into the front room where he came face to face with his worst nightmare. He burst through the door to find Ramos kneeling beside Joey. Lafiamma was sitting against the wall, as Herc was helping him undo the snaps of his raid jacket, Lundy could see blood trickling out of the bottom onto Joey's pants, "I didn't see that guy." Lafiamma spoke over and over, at a pitch just above a whisper. "I don't think its that bad, he iced that sniper and ran in here himself." Ramos shaky voice had a hint of optimism.
Lundy pushed the detective out of the way as he slid across the floor to Joe, "What are you a doctor now too, he's in shock you asshole, haven't you ever seen a gunshot victim before!" Mike entered, dictating events to the dispatcher on the radio, "Officer DOWN, second floor front," as the room began to fill with cops; Lundy heard the voice on the other end of the radio dispatch an ambulance to their scene as he slid Lafiamma out of his tattered vest.
McCandless quickly entered with a stack of bar towels he took from downstairs; he handed them to Levon then began moving the cops back to give Joey some room. Mike stepped over Ramos and instinctively began helping Lundy. 'Get him on the floor; find something to raise his legs up." Joey's pale, sweaty face winced in pain as Mike grabbed him under the shoulders and laid him on the dusty floor. Lundy pulled a knife from his pocket and slit Joey's blood soaked t-shirt end-to-end, revealing two dime sized wounds. Garcetti placed Joeys legs up on a trash can as the detective began to shiver uncontrollably. Lundy pressed the towels in on the wounds, as Joey squeezed his eyes shut, grabbing Lundy's wrists.
"Hang in there partner, help's coming." Lundy whispered as he felt Lafiamma's neck for his pulse. Mike yanked off his raid jacket and threw it over Joey to keep him warm, placing one hand gently under Joey's neck; he lifted lightly to keep his airway open. Lafiamma's blank eyes began rolling back and forth as he desperately tried to keep a hold on consciousness. Lundy glanced at the rookie with admiration as a paramedic team burst into the room. Hoarding all the officers into the hall they began feverishly working on saving Lafiamma's life, Lundy backed away shaking as he wiped his bloody hands on his jeans. Mike put his arm around Levon's shoulder as the two men looked on with fear.
The double doors of the ambulance shut tight as it sped away, sirens wailing. Activity still commenced outside the hacienda. Lundy shed his gear and repositioned his Stetson on his head, he paced stone faced past Gutierrez and McCandles, with Mike following briskly behind, his pace picked up as he spied Ramos standing with some other officers by the entrance.
He came up on him quick, his white knuckles connecting with Ramos' jaw with a crunch. The man folded to the ground like paper, Mike grabbing Lundy round the waist. "THAT'S FOR GETTING MY PARTNER SHOT! YOU SELF RIGHTOUS SON OF A BITCH!!" Ramos rubbed his sore chin, just as Sgt. Carol O'Brien sped up in a police car, wheels screeching to a halt. "Lundy! GET IN!" McCandless and Gutierrez took Lundy by the arms and forced the man in the back of the car, pushing his head down like he were a suspect. The four cops sped away, lights and sirens blazing.

(0730 Houston General)

The major crimes detectives ran into the waiting area to find Joanne already there, the place was full of strange people running to and fro with papers and files, "They brought him in about twenty minutes ago, they took him directly to the Emergency Room, I've been trying to get a doctor, but nobody will help me." Joanne's voice was shaking with fright as she hugged Lundy. "Are you okay?" she inquired noticing the dried blood all over Lundy's clothes and hands. "I'm fine," Lundy coldly responded as if he was in a trance, he brushed by Joanne and grabbed the first person to run by wearing a stethoscope, "We need information on Sergeant Joe Lafiamma, NOW!" Lundy released the young intern, as McCandless leaned in on Levon with some force, "Cool it Lundy, just sit down and relax!" The intern scurried away fearfully, trying to get as far from Lundy as he could. Just then a nurse walked up to the shaken group, "Are you here for Joseph Lafiamma?" Joanne nodded, as the nurse got everyone's attention, "Please follow me this way."
The woman led the detectives to a quiet room lined with chairs; she flicked on the television and clicked on a coffee pot. "The attorney general's office called and asked us to take care of you' all, the news is already covering your story, just have a seat and try to calm down, there's coffee here and a phone on the table if you need to make some calls. My name is Jessie and I'll be back in a while with some forms for you to fill out, don't worry we'll get some information on Joseph in here as soon as possible, just stay calm." The woman placed a reassuring hand on Joanne's arm as she walked out the door.
The group settled in some chairs and watched the story play out on the morning news as they waited. Lundy placed his head in his hands as his emotions began to get the best of him. His body ached as he realized he'd been shaking, tears welling up in his eyes. He tried hard to hold it, but a noticeable sob escaped his mouth, Joanne sat on the arm of the chair pulling him toward her as McCandless, Gutierrez and O'Brien looked away, not knowing what to do. "I can't loose him now, I just started to like that bastard!"
As Joanne consoled her friend, an older gray haired man quietly entered the room, as he unzipped his jacket the hint of a clergy collar peeked out. "I'm Father Henry Morris, I'm the Department Chaplain, I'm here for Joe, I was told he is a devout catholic." The man inquired as Joanne rose to shake his hand. "I'll say!" McCandless stated dryly, breaking the tension somewhat as the group smiled.
Jessie came back with a clipboard, "Here are some admission forms to fill out, we also have Joseph's guns and badge at admissions, we need an officer to sign for them, were not permitted to hold police property." Lundy grabbed the clipboard and began filling out the information, as Carol went to retrieve Joe's weapons. "Father we sure could use your assistance inside if you wouldn't mind." Jessie asked. The priest followed her out, as Lundy and Joanne exchanged frantic looks. "This aint good boss, they need him to do that final rights thing, that's a bad sign." Lundy rose from his chair and began to pace back and forth, "Don't jump to conclusions Levon, it doesn't mean anything, a little help from up above couldn't hurt, just stay cool sergeant." Joanne grabbed Lundy by the hand and motioned him to sit down and relax. The clock continued to tick loudly on the wall as the worried friends waited anxiously for news of their fallen comrade.
Annie had joined the group in the waiting area soon after, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Everybody sat solemnly, staring into oblivion, one thing rolling through his or her minds.
The volume on the television was turned down just below a hum, but the image was clear, the district attorney was holding up Joe's Kevlar vest, looking more like Swiss cheese after this morning. Just as Lundy was about to thrash out again, a tall man dressed in full surgical scrubs entered the room, "I'm Dr. Howard Long, I'm Joseph's Trauma Surgeon, and I'm here with an update." The detectives jumped to attention, crowding the Dr. as he began to speak. "Were preparing Joe for surgery now, he's hanging in there okay, but his injuries are far more serious than they appear, His blood pressure was in free fall, he did experience moments of cardiac and respiratory arrest, but he bounced right back almost immediately. Chest x-rays and CT scans show significant damage to both his lungs and his spleen, were going to have to remove the spleen. Joe is experiencing a class three hemorrhage, so as soon as we stabilize his pressure were going to operate. He's a universal blood type so I would urge all of you to contribute to our blood bank. As far as the bullets are concerned we can safely remove both, the second bullet fragmented on impact with Joe's rib cage so the surgery will take some time." Joanne folded her arms and pressed her lips together to stifle a gasp, Lundy stepped forward visibly alarmed. "Is he gonna make it?"
The doctor curled his charts close to his chest and let out a sigh, "I don't believe in false hope or odds detective, but I will say this, were doing everything possible to keep Joseph alive, he's young, strong and in excellent physical condition, he's fighting hard and were fighting hard, time will tell." Lundy nodded, not exactly the response he wanted, but he was satisfied for now. "Also, one more thing if Joseph has any family that should know about this, I'm sure now is the time to call them." The Doctor excused himself as the group soaked up the bad news. Joanne turned to Lundy; "I think we should find a number for Chicago, don't you." Lundy nodded, "I'll go see if I can get Joey's wallet from the front desk."

(1630 Houston General)

The room was dark, as the curtains were drawn, only the flicker of the television supplied light, Lundy, dressed in a T-shirt and scrubs slept curled up on the couch. He had to change his own clothes hours ago because the sickening smell of blood permeated the entire room. He peeled the stiff jeans off and tossed them right into the trash bin. In the nine hours since Joe's been under the knife, just one brief call from the OR told the gang, "all was going as expected." The statement was too vague to wrap any real hope around. Joanne had gotten in touch with Joe's Aunt in Chicago, who dryly said she would pass on the information to the family and thanked Joanne for the courtesy call.
Chicken and Garcetti had joined the group in the small waiting area as Father Henry passed out coffee, blankets and spiritual advice to anyone who needed some comfort. He was the only person in the room to have seen Joey since the raid, he could only say that Joey was having a hard time of it, and was not alone in his struggle, that God would protect him and look out for him, whatever that meant, Lundy felt it was no help to his roller coaster of emotional torment.
The lights flicked on with some alarm as two men in ties entered the room, Lundy jumped to his feet from a sound sleep as the men introduced themselves as Internal Affairs. Lundy and Garcetti exchanged glances as the men seated themselves in some chairs. "Were here to investigate the events surrounding the wounding of Sergeant Joseph Lafiamma this morning during the raid on the Hacienda, we have a few questions for Sergeant Levon E. Lundy and Michael J. Garcetti." Joanne insisted on sitting in on the interview with Lundy but IA wouldn't have it. Lundy and Garcetti both declined interview until an F.O.P. lawyer could be present. "No problem, we'll just wait until we can get one down here." The men crossed their arms and waited stoically in the corner as Joanne frantically dialed the number.
One half of an hour later the lawyer arrived and accompanied Lundy, Garcetti and the Officers outside the waiting room, Lundy followed the men into a smaller adjacent room with his lawyer in tow, Garcetti anxiously awaited his turn outside. "We have reason to believe that some police misconduct may have played a part in this tragedy, we have just a few questions and then we'll certainly leave you alone." Lundy nodded as IA started a small recorder on the arm of the chair. "Please tell us Sergeant your opinion of the events leading up to the shooting, and if it could have been prevented?"
Lundy dug into the question like it was a BBQ Rib, he explained in detail the gross misconduct of Sgt. H. Ramos in leaving his position and giving Joey the all clear to enter a dangerous situation without regard to the team's safety. He praised Garcetti's actions and explained how Joey probably saved the junior detectives life, by pushing him out of the way of a gun aimed straight for his head. "Thank you for your time Detective, just one more question, is it true that Sgt. Lafiamma was unfit to participate in this operation today, that you had knowledge of him being violently ill and in no condition to carry a weapon or execute a raid of this magnitude?"
Lundy shut his eyes in frustration, he couldn't believe IA knew about this, but he had to answer truthfully. "Well Sgt. Lafiamma was feeling a bit under the weather, but we both felt pulling him off the team so late in the game would be a horrible mistake, I wouldn't say that Joe was violently ill, and I will not say that he was unfit in any way to do his job, which is EXACTLY WHAT HE DID!" The two men closed their files and stopped the tape, "Thank you Detective, we'll transcribe this and send a copy of it over to your office for you to read and sign." The men exchanged handshakes with Lundy and the lawyer. "Don't worry Levon, it's routine the department has to cover its ass."
Levon and Mike sat in the waiting room with Joanne and compared interview notes, it seems IA asked both men the same line of questioning and it was unclear who they wanted to nail for responsibility, Joey or Ramos. Joanne told Lundy not to worry about it, she wouldn't allow Joe or Lundy to get in trouble, "I knew all about Joe and I was the one who made the decision to keep him on the case, no one else, it was my call and it was the right call."

(2130 Waiting room)

After a grueling fourteen hours of surgery, Doctor Long emerged exhausted in the waiting area everyone was still there filled with anxiety. "It went well, we've repaired most of the internal damage, the rest is up to Joe. Were moving him into recovery now, he's going to stay there the rest of the night where we can keep an eye on him round the clock. The bullet fragments are all out and he's doing okay. We've put Joe in a drug-induced coma, and he'll be on assisted life support until he can safely sustain his own breathing and heart rate. If all goes well tonight we'll move him to the ICU and you will all be able to see him tomorrow." Doctor Long was greeted with smiles and hand shakes for a job well done. He excused himself again from the jubilant crowd. The band of confidants dispersed to spend a restful night at home after a long, horrifying day.

 

 

(0900 Bullpen)

McCandles, O'Brien and Gutierrez sat sifting through a mountain of different newspapers, comparing stories on their case, as an agitated Lundy paced back and forth with the receiver of his phone pasted to his ear. "I just want to know if they've moved him yet….OH SHIT, I'm on hold again!" Gutierrez placed a cup of coffee in front of Lundy and motioned him to sit down in his chair.
"Where did they dig up this picture of Joe, he looks like a kid for god's sake?" Joe-Bill held up the paper for the others to see, "He's still in a beat uniform, so it's got to be old as the hills." Gutierrez stated as he showed the same photo in his paper. Just then Lundy ripped the phone cord from the wall and hurled the whole thing through the door of the squad room. "Feel better?" McCandless asked dryly not looking up from his morning paper. Lundy stood panting with anger, "No, they can't seem to find anyone down there with some news. It's like talking to a god damned wall." Lundy plopped down in his chair, as Annie rolled into the room, the smashed phone in her lap, "What the hell is going on in here!" She asked with alarm, navigating her wheelchair over to the group. Levon's just letting off a little steam is all." Gutierrez explained as he grabbed another paper and began leafing through. Annie dumped the pile of plastic and wire into Lundy's lap, "Hide it before Joanne gets here."
The group continued to read and talk about their case, the raid was a success all but three of the suspects were taken into custody, truckloads of guns and drugs and money were seized and the hacienda was now owned by the city of Houston. By the time Joanne got to work all of her detectives were there, with the obvious exception of Lafiamma, his absence hung heavy in the room as the major Crimes unit began their roll call. "I want to thank you guys for all of your hard work, this was not an easy case but we pulled it together and the boys upstairs are pleased with the way it turned out, over the next few weeks phase three begins and trials are going to start, some of you may have to testify or give depositions, but the district attorneys are confident that our evidence is solid and that each and every suspect will do hard time."
After finishing her briefing, Joanne stepped away from her podium and joined the detectives in their seats. "Now for the unofficial briefing, It seems that Internal Affairs has a problem with some of the things that went on yesterday, I've been down there in meetings since six thirty this morning, I can tell you only this, Joey is off the hook his actions were more than appropriate, he carried out his job above and beyond the line of duty and the police department will stand behind Joe and support him with anything he needs until he can rejoin us here at Major Crimes." Joanne sniffed back tears as the group let out stifled sighs. "Now as for you guys, no work today! I'm going to treat us all to breakfast at Chicken's with petty cash of course, and you all have the weekend to do with as you please, we'll start fresh cases first thing Monday!" Cheers erupted from the group as the briefing dispersed, Lundy already knew where he would be this weekend.

As the days past Lundy found Room 212B become his home away from home, Joey lay still, oblivious to all the goings on around him. The revolving door of well-wishers, endless deliveries Lundy was tired of signing for, including a huge teddy bear from the hot girls in the steno pool, and doctors and nurses poking and prodding. At first you could hardly see Joe under all the bandages tubes and machines, but as he grew stronger they seemed to disappear. Finally the dreaded respirator made it's exit, leaving just Joey living on his own. McCandles and O'Brien lined the walls of Joe's room with all the newspaper clippings and press coverage from the big case, and couldn't help but blow up the prepubescent academy archive photo of Joe the media dug up. Even though Lafiamma was ailing, didn't make him any less of a prime target for the pranksters of the Major Crimes Unit.
Chicken delivered dinner to Lundy every evening personally to room 212B to check up on his boys and make sure someone was looking out for Levon as he was looking out for Joey. Carol and Annie cleaned Lafiamma's apartment and sorted through his mail everyday, and Joanne took care to make sure Joe was receiving his disability and other benefits owed by the H.P.D. Gutierrez even was charged with taping every Chicago Bears football game so Joey wouldn't miss a minute while he recuperated.
The group reveled in the chance to baby Lafiamma, because once he regains consciousness he will protest and moan and whine about all the fuss, although they anxiously awaited the moment, they basked in the silence knowing full well it wouldn't last and that was the best feeling of all, that they were getting their Joey back, the way he was before, good points and bad.

(Very Early on a SUNDAY Morning)

The sun was just peering over the plain as Joanne stirred in her dark and cozy bed, wrapped up in a huge down comforter she turned over finding what was probably the most comfortable sleeping position known to mankind, when the phone rang. Blaring through the peaceful slumber like a foghorn, Joanne bolted upright grouchily snatching the receiver from its cradle, "HELLO! THIS BETTER BE GOOD!" Her hair sticking straight into the air, eyes not even open yet. "And a glorious morning to you too, sunshine." Lundy greeted from the other end of the line. "What's up Lundy?" Joanne asked squinting to see the time on the clock. "He's awake and he's allowed to ask you one question." Joanne listened as Lundy handed the phone to Lafiamma. A broad smile forming across her sleepy face, Joanne was relieved to hear Joey's voice for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. "You got it sweetie, I'll drop by your apartment on my way to the hospital." Joanne nodded to the voice on the other end, smiling and giggling, "Absolutely! I will hurry."
The elevator door opened and Joanne walked almost skipping down the hall of the special care unit of Houston General, warm good mornings were exchanged to the all too familiar staff she's come to know so well over the past few weeks. Pushing open the heavy door to room 212B her eyes widened to find Joey sitting up, playing cards with an exhausted Levon. Joe was very thin, almost drawn and too frail to even lean over when Joanne bent down to kiss his forehead. But you could see the fire behind his eyes, with some time and lots of help from his friends; he would be back to himself.
Pulling an electric toothbrush and razor from her purse she joyously asked, "Which do you want first?" Joey smiled, silently pointing to the toothbrush, his dark bangs pushed close to his forehead by the elastic band of an oxygen mask secured to the side of his head. "I'm glad to see your eyebrow is breathing easy." She joked handing the toothbrush to an excited Joe, like he was a child receiving a lollipop. "Funny!" he whispered, his voice almost nonexistent. "HEY! NO TALKING!" Lundy roared, rising from his chair pointing at his partner with warning. Joe waved his hand apologetically as Joanne shed her coat and scarf. "Come on L.T. lets go get some coffee and let Serpico here get himself presentable." Joe smiled as he painfully felt his five o'clock shadow, which seemed more like seven thirty. "We'll be back in five minutes." Joe gestured for the two to beat it, as Lundy called for a nurse, immediately Jessie came through the door. "Could you please keep an eye on super cop, he's going to attempt to brush his teeth, I wouldn't want to see him hurt himself."
Joanne and Lundy parked themselves at a table in the cafeteria with some coffee and breakfast. "He looks so different, he's white as a sheet!" Joanne observed digging into her plate. "He dropped about twenty pounds, their starting to wean him off all those drugs they been pumping in him so he's in a lot of pain, don't let him fool you, he can't say more than five words without tuckering himself out." Joanne shook her head in awe as Lundy filled her in on Joey's progress. "Which brings me to my next question, "I was thinking of moving my vacation time up to say maybe next week, if all goes well we can bring him home then and he's gonna need some looking after. My grandmother already said she would come down and help out and with much reluctance Lafiamma actually agreed to a week up at the ranch." Joanne's eyes widened with surprise, "YOUR JOKING!" she laughed finishing off her toast. "No really. I used reverse psychology on him, I told him Minnie's been looking for someone to look after since the early seventies, so he feels like he'll be doing her a favor." "You got it Lundy, whatever you need." The two finished their breakfast and quickly rejoined Joey, who needed a nap after shaving.

(The following week)

Chicken entered the room with balloons and a wheelchair as Carol helped Joey tie his shoes. "You see Joe you make two loops and put the first around the other and make a big bow." Carol laughed as Joey mussed up all her hair, "To the moon Carol!" Joe snickered as he slowly got to his feet steadying himself with Chickens huge arm. "You've been paroled junior, Lundy's signing your release papers now." The large man's toothy grin lit up the room as he put the breaks on and waited for Joe to settle in. Annie bought Joey two weeks worth of cotton tracksuits that zipped up the front since raising his arms still seemed to be a problem. Not exactly Joe's style, but he was grateful for the effort. Joanne and Annie waited anxiously in Annie's van outside the front door waiting for their friends to emerge. As soon as Lundy placed his John Hancock on the papers the detectives whisked Joey out of the room, after quick kisses from all the pretty nurses Chicken sped Joey through the front doors, hoping never to return.

A large welcome home party awaited the gang at Lundy's ranch as Mother Minnie spent the whole day cooking. Everyone was in great spirits catching Joey up on recent events. The outcome of their case, the successful customs raid on the ocean liner, the six-month suspension of Sgt Ramos and finally as everyone settled down with anticipation, Joanne rose and stood at the head of the table. "I know were all glad to be back together again. It had been a long and tedious road for us to get here, and with the help of Sgts, O'Brien, McCandless, Gutierrez, Hartung, Garcetti and especially Lundy I'm proud to present Sergeant Joseph A. Lafiamma with a commendation medal for his bravery and effort in the field. The gang erupted with applause as Joanne flipped open the leather box containing Joe's award. Joe stood up shocked and deeply touched by his friend's display of affection, as he began to shakily move toward Joanne, everyone yelled and hollered at him. "I'll bring it too you." Joanne griped as she gave Joey the box. He reached out to shake her hand; grabbing his she gently pulled him close and with much care hugged him tight, "You should know by now, were not so formal at major crimes."
It took a few moments for Joe to gain his composure and get his thoughts together, "I really don't know what to say! Joanne wanted me to take a few days off but this is ridiculous. If I wanted a job with no danger I would' a been the greatest shortstop the Cubs ever saw. But that's just not me. I became a cop because that's what I do best, I was born to wear the blues, or in this town the browns. It took me a long time to fit in around here, but I think it's working out okay. Since I came here I may have lost my family, but I found a better one. Now this isn't the first time I ate lead, maybe after this round, I can't scuba dive again, and It'll be a good year before I can yell at Lundy with any force, but there are worse tragedies in life, I'm still here, I'm ready to get back to work, and I have more confidence in the job and my unit than I ever had before. I'll never be able to thank all of you for what you've done for me but I want you to know I really love you guys, and as much as I complain and moan about Houston and the department, there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be."
Everyone clapped and cheered as Chicken began refilling glasses and plates, Joe slipped from his chair over to Lundy who sat at the opposite side smiling ear to ear. Joe embraced his partner and whispered his thanks into his ear. "And you cowboy! I'll never be able to repay you for saving my life out there." Lundy laid a mock punch on Joe's chin, "Don't mention it again Lafiamma." Mother Minnie took Joe by the arm and shuffled him towards the door. "It's time for this young man to get some doggon sleep, he needs to change his bandages and take his medicine and hit the sheets, and too much excitement is not good for the boy." Her voice trailed off as she dragged Joey, waving goodnight to the gang down the hall. Lundy shook his head and for the first time in weeks breathed a healthy sigh of relief.

THE END…

Story (c) copyrighted by Jumbojett., Sept, 2002.
 

Feed the author, will ya? Lr209@aol.com... pretty please?
 

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