Robbery In Progress

*Kelsey*

"Hey Rose, it's nice to see you again. How are you feeling?" Regardless of the circumstances and of my current internal battle causing me to question everything I knew about myself and the world around me, it really was good to see Rose again. She was a bright light and her happiness lifted a little bit of weight off my chest.

"Kelsey! You came back." She reached out her arms for me to hug her. When I leaned in to receive she added, "and you brought a handsome friend. Hello."

"Uhm, hi. I'm Detective Lawson."

"Sexy name, too. I can work with that."

Matty's cheeks actually flushed which I found extremely entertaining. "Thank you." He cleared his throat, "we wanted to come talk to you some more about your brother. Have you seen him since the last time Kelsey was here?" "I haven't. I've been a bit busy here actually, we are getting me prepped for surgery." She was a step short of bouncing in her bed; she was so giddy with excitement. Which could only mean one thing... "You're getting a kidney transplant?"

"Yes! They found a donor and apparently someone donated the money for the procedure. Can you believe it?"

I didn't want to spoil her mood but I had a strong feeling that the "donation" she received was actually stolen from a bank or two. I put on my best smile and shook my head, "I can't. But that is amazing. I am so happy for you, Rose." "Thanks," her smile dimmed slightly, "I just wish my brother was here with me. I know he's a criminal or whatever and that that's a lot about him I don't know, but he's the only family I've got left, you know?"

My heart ached for her, I knew what it was like to lose family, but I didn't know what it was like to feel guilty for missing them. My family never made me feel guilty about them, or about my friends or personal affairs. They were never judgemental of me, not even when I came out as bisexual.

Oh my god, I was a judgemental goodie-two-shoes, where had I gotten that from? Well, time to shut that down. I can't exactly go breaking any laws, but I could definitely stop being so judgemental.

I slid my hands into Rose's and sat at the edge of her bed, "you deserve to have family around you. You deserve to have your brother here to support you, even if maybe he isn't the most law-abiding citizen ever. Don't ever feel guilty for wanting to be loved and for needing support. I'm just sorry he isn't here for you."

Her eyes glistened as she listened to me, her chin wobbled a bit and she pulled me into another hug. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you."

*Emma*

"Have you found anything?" Drew skipped the pleasantries and I let him considering the time constraints we were under.

"We found the flight he checked in for, but security cameras didn't pick him up at the gate. We will have to do a sweep in person." The security guard, Shelly, was her name, was actually extremely useful after we got over our initial disagreement. I made a specific effort to say thank you to her before I went to join Drew for set up. Everyone with us was already decked out in kevlar with their ear pieces in so I hurried to catch up as we spoke. "Which gate?"

"B6. Have we heard from Kelsey or Matty?" I pulled the vest over my head and strapped it into place.

"She is having surgery. They suspect Jason made a stop at the center to pay for it with the money he stole. And Rose wishes he was there. That was about it, though."

Really wasn't much, but I could work with it. *Probably*, internally grimacing, I nodded to Drew. "It's something. That's better than nothing. He kept her as far away from this as possible, but if his motivation for all of this was her, then she will be the key to talking him down."

"I truly hope that is how this plays out. Less paperwork that way," Drew mused, causing my lip to twitch.

"Funny guy."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone come out of the men's bathroom in a sweatshirt with the hoodie up. Could have been anyone but my gut told me it was Jason. The height was right based off his driver's license and he was certainly acting suspicious enough. I put my hand up to silently signal Drew and the agents with us, then I tapped my earpiece hoping he would understand my request that he call up Kelsey and Matty as promised.

Once he nodded I turned back to Jason, setting myself in a position that screamed "we come in peace." Not that he would believe it, but I had to try.

"Jason Roberts?" His head shot up at my question. Eyes wide, he searched for an exit. Unable to find one he grabbed a passer-by and pulled out a gun. How the hell had he gotten a gun through security? "Jason, we don't want to hurt you. We just want to talk."

I was so focused in on Jason and his new found hostage that I barely heard Drew in the background updating Kelsey and Matty on the situation.

"Why should I believe you? All you people do is lie. You people are the worst criminals of us all. My sister could die because of your reckless choices. So I don't give a damn about what you want to do. You're going to let me get on that plane and fly away. Just leave me alone. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

As he spoke I ran through my training checklist.

Subject is very unstable: check

Subject has a weapon and/or threatens harm: check and check

Subject carries mistrust with law enforcement: triple freaking check Walk in the park, am I right?