-Piper was one of my closest friends before all of this went down, who was I kidding she was closer than that. If we were going to delve deep into the realm of relationships, she was nearly the mother of my child. That was if everything had gone according to plan but god or whoever it was that was in charge of greater things didn’t fuck up constantly. We were happy once, really happy. My world revolved around keeping her happy and I did a really good job at it. Flowers, chocolates, the whole nine yards but once we were both out of the academy and working for her father that’s when things started to change. Little things in the beginning, he’d change our shifts so we would work opposite one another and then the arguments would happen. Try as I might she would get under my skin so quickly I would lash out with words first, then came my fists. At first it was the occasion smack to the face, then came something harder till she couldn’t hide the bruises on her with makeup. Those were the moments I cringed and yet a deeper part of me reveled in my handy work. The red came in instantly, followed by the hints of purple tinge slowly rising to the surface. It was perfection. Soon I learned to smack her around in other places that were less likely to be seen, of course she fought back and fuck me if that didn’t get my motor runnin’. She had this way of reacting in just the right way, of coming back at me with her own fists that would drive me crazy. I ended up with a couple bruises of my own but damn she looked good giving them.

Over the next few years she pushed herself away, always coming back when she needed the Riggs lovin’ which let’s be honest she needed quite often. The girl was a slave to my cock by the end. No matter what her father did to seperate us the love she felt for me deep down still was there, I wondered if it would always be there. I remember the night the day Deputy Chief Rowland came to me asking if I had a second to discuss something privately, of course I thought it was all business, maybe I was finally caught on a few violations. Yet by the time he had finished speaking I sat there in complete awe of the man, he had some balls I would give him that. His plan was to take out our current Chief, Piper’s father, and then step in as his replacement. He didn’t care how it happened or if he lived or died. I don’t even think that I blinked as his plan continued on, a group of ex military would step in and commit a few crimes that he would assign to either Piper or myself so he could control the outcome. Then he eventually would have a shootout ensue, something that would draw Chief Hart to the front line, while still making sure Piper would be off duty that day. She was entirely too smart, she’d take a small lead and build a whole case around it. Finding the perp within record time. She had her dad’s smarts and nose for finding things, but thankfully her mother’s looks.

One would have thought that given our past maybe I would have given some time to think this over, maybe mull it over in my head a few days. But there was none of that. The fact was, once Piper cut me off all together I was beyond annoyed. She fueled the anger deep down in my gut that once I added liquor to the mix only exploded ten times brighter. I hated her, down right loathed the woman I once swore to always protect. Our plan moved along according to plan, night by night until Piper’s father, our Chief’s last night on earth crept forward. It was brilliant to watch everything come to light. Two men  had taken refuge in an abandoned motel, the room lite with nothing but the glow of one light. Police cars surrounded every exit, making a circle out front to keep them locked in while SWAT took the back to start their breach. All they needed was a single nod, the single to start the bullets flying. I wasn’t sure how many men we had on our side but damn when it started it seemed like everyone was gunning for Chief Hart. There was only one shots that counted, mine. Of course he went out being a hero, Swan got in my way. If she ever learned where the shot that killed him came from she would never forgive me, everything else maybe with time she would but this, this she would never ever get over. It took longer for them to set everything up then it did for him to hit the floor, one shot and he was down but they littered his body with bullets just to cover it up. The officers who weren’t involved took out Deputy Chief Rowland’s men instantly, they barely made it out the front door before they hit the ground.

Then once the tape was wrapped around the site  and the numbers were being laid beside each and every bullet casing, I saw her. She already knew what happened before she burst through the officers that tried to hold her back. Not because it was a crime scene, but because they were sparing her the pain of seeing her father on the ground. It was finally Swan who found her, I imagine it was  him who told her what happened judging by the tears that spread as she dropped to her knees and placed our once decorated Chiefs head into her lap. Something about the way she looked, her sorrow and the way her voice shook as she talked to her father make me look the other way before I left completely. There was shit I needed to do elsewhere, a case that needed to be sorted or some shit. Fuck a bottle with my name on it. I could handle everything except that. No matter how pissed, or fucking mad she made me, I couldn’t stand the way she looked when she was really upset. When her heart was breaking that was when Piper cut through all the anger that boiled deep down inside me and a large part of me wanted to run back and take her into my arms. Tell her everything I had done and accept whatever punishment she saw fit. Those thoughts lasted all of two seconds before I was thought of a fight or just something she had done that drove me fucking batty before I was ready to wring her fucking neck again.

Flash forward to now, she was the one we were hunting. The plan was originally for her to die at the crime scene but somehow she refused to and pulled through. She either had a horse shoe up her ass or god himself blessed her. Then came our next attempt, we payed off a few nurses to make an untraceable cocktail so slip into her IV. Basically to make it look like her heart gave out in her sleep or something to that aspect. It really didn’t matter. Apparently our now Deputy, sorry Chief Rowland wanted to clean up shop and Piper was already asking too many questions. But I’ll be damned if both the nurses failed apparently they couldn’t follow through or weren’t alone long enough in the room with her. Dumbasses is what they were. I hated cleaning up useless messes, they were paid good fucking money to do this shit and they would be dealt with accordingly later. I had two men sent up the back stairs to search for her once we learned she had slipped security, two others went up the front while the remainder of the force I brought went about in plain clothes to watch the front and side doors. She’d be found, she had to be. By now I was sure she knew more than any of us realized. She knew that I set her up at the girls house, anyone could have seen it. That drug fiend of a father loved his wife and kid, he’d never put them at risk with a gun in the house, especially with Piper around she’d lay him out flat plain and simple. I’d paid that fucker to take her out and he fucking failed at this. Needless to say he was taking out and given the high of a lifetime that night. There was no chance he would be waking from it, god help his kid, she was a mess hopefully she didn’t follow in his footsteps.- DID YOU ASSHOLES FIND HER? She leaves we are all at risk, you realize that?  He said bring her in!

Piper   ::I looked over the Jones and Warners notes on files, they lacked so many things. Like what was actually asked and to who. Where her parents were, the fact that the man they were talking to was actual Miranda’s step father, so her real dad was out there somewhere with her maybe. Who knows, no one had questioned him. Had they bothered to look at up her mothers name they would have found previous cases of abuse and would have learned that her grandmother had custody. That was more than likely where she was. My eyes rolled instantly as I picked up the phone and dialed out her number, we were on speaking terms but Gwen and I weren’t friends. It rang one to many times for my liking and when she did answer her voice gave way more than she wanted it too::

Hey Gwen, It’s Piper.  I’m just calling to check in on you and Miranda, you two doing alright? Apparently there has been some trouble with her parents again and I’m  just making sure she’s ok.  ::There was a long, long pause before she spoke again, her voice trembling but still firm. “We’re fine, Piper, just came in from playing outside so please excuse my breathlessness.” She even chuckled nervously, anything to distract me from the truth, but I couldn’t just charge in because my gut told me something was off. “Miranda is doing fine, we both are. She’s been asking about you a lot…” The phone hit the floor and someone cried out NO before it cut off entirely. That was all the proof I needed before I was on my feet, already tucking my gun into it’s holster and reaching out for my cell to call Riggs for backup. I popped into the Chiefs office on my way out to give him the heads up to send back up:: I’ll need it, but keep them a block away, he sees any sign of them and everyone in that house is dead. I’ll head in with Riggs, see how far I can get, if I can’t get far I’ll just call and leave the line open. That will be the sign to send everything in. Don’t do /anything/ until then.

One look from the Chief Rowland and I knew he both hated and accepted what I had said, I didn’t wait long enough to hear any complaints he had to say, Anger was already coursing through my small frame as my fingers flexed over the wheel, Riggs was meeting me there. He was closer than I was, he was meeting with some contact getting information on another case we were working on. It seemed to be his thing lately to get info on the seeder side of things and I wasn’t about to deter him from that especially when his info was proving positive.

Riggs. -This was my new routine drowning my memories in booze and feelings in random women, while dodging my partners questions with bullshit like I was getting intel on the gangs shipments of drugs or more. I hated that I was lying to her. Hated that I was putting her life in danger every time we went out but that was just the way it was. She knew parts of my life but she didn’t know all of it, I kept it that way so she couldn’t give me that look that my father in law gave me. The one that was filled with pity and regret for allowing his daughter to marry me. I slammed back another shot, waving the glass at the gorgeous blonde behind the bar- Another beautiful. -FUCK. - Maybe hold off on that. But I would like your number for after this is finished, what time do you get off? -She grinned, I leaned over the bar and smirked sliding my card across the bar- Call me, I’ll get you off after you’re finished you’re finished your shift. I’ll even use my cuffs. - One wink later she tucked that card in her bra and I was out the door towards my car to drown myself in some cologne. A little visine to the the eyes and Piper would never be the wiser when I arrived at our meeting spot. Why couldn’t this just be an easy day. I deserved it, didn’t I?-

Piper: ::I parked about a block away then waited for Riggs to arrive, I was already wearing my bullet proof vest making sure that my weapons were loaded. I tucked two back up cartridges into my back pockets just in case then stood there waiting as always for my “partner”. Ten bucks said he was at some bar drowning whatever issues he had to whoever would listen instead of doing the same to the people who wanted to help him most. I groaned loudly. There were so many of us that wanted to help him but he never let us in close enough. I shook my head focusing again on the case, my phone held the layout of the house, it was simple. Once inside you walked into the living room, on the left was a wall and behind that was the kitchen. If you continued about twenty steps you turn you hit the hallway continue down there you would pass Miranda's room first and then her Grandma’s. Gwen usually stayed on the couch when she stayed over so I was willing to bet money that was were they were gathered right now. Riggs and I would have to go in the back and work our way forward to the living room.

A smoke bomb would just cause chaos, which of course Riggs would love but someone would end up shot and casualties were not an option. Not even to Miranda’s father. Jason, he was nothing short of a jackass abuser. He spent more time in jail then he did out of it. Coming out more dangerous every time he came out of the system, whatever he had going through his mind this time wasn’t good. Maybe it was drugs? Money? Fuck, money for drugs? I just needed this to go smoothly. Just as I was pulling my hair up into a ponytail Riggs pulled up behind me, pulling off his shades as he made his way over::

Riggs:   -Pulling the car to a stop I admired how gorgeous my partner really was in that moment, how hadn’t someone taken advantage of that? She caught me, fuck. How she went from a beaut to a staring demon surprised me. I got out and made my way over, chuckling- You really think Jason is this fuckin’ dumb, Pipes? Stupid enough to put his daughter in danger? He knows you’d find him of all people, you’ve been protectin’ that girl since birth. -I watched her body tense even her jaw as she gazed out at the house, muttering something about men under her breath- I’m just askin’ is all. How we goin’ in?

Piper: ::Sometimes Riggs astounded me, why he always had to question everything made it really hard not to shoot him in the foot. So very fucking hard.:: Why? I have no clue but we are here for a reason, Riggs, maybe he wants money? Drugs or worse. I don't know. That’s why we are going in quiet. You really think having the whole station here would be a good idea? ::I threw up my hands in sheer anger, I hated when I was questioned, especially when I knew I was doing the right thing.:: We are going in the back, you’ll wait five minutes before coming in quietly behind me. Just give me enough time to talk to Jason and see if I can get him off the edge before you come charging in ok? You think you can handle that? And don’t think I can’t smell the booze, Riggs, I need you to focus. Please. ::I practically begged the last word, he was the only backup I had, really the only person I really trusted within the force right now. I let my eyes close so I could collect myself before I closed the trunk and opened them enough to find his.:: You ready?

Riggs:: -She was pissed. It was more than plastered all over her face it was now showing in her actions and words. I fucked this up. Listening was my only option now.- Follow in five minutes after you. If I hear anythin’ that leads me ta thinkin’ any of y'all are in danger I’m comin’ in, Piper. Five minutes or not. -She shot me a look that would have killed if it could but she understood what I was saying, she knew the the rules. She wasn’t about to risk shit.  We made our way down towards the house, creeping along the bushes that lined the house until we were in the backyard. All seemed relatively quiet except for the yelling coming from the living room. Jason was screaming up a storm, smacking someone around that was for sure judging by Miranda’s cries to stop. At least he hadn’t made it to her yet.- You  have 3 minutes, Hart. That’s all I’m givin’ ya

Piper:: ::My heart sank the second I hear the screams mixed with Miranda’s cries, it was already to late for somethings. Too late to stop him from beating someone I wagered was Gwen.:: Wait here, I’ll take the three then come in. Just don’t charge Riggs for the love of god. ::I flashed him a glare before I gave the handle a turn and stepped him, my gun already drawn. Making my way around the house was made easy by the numerous visits I had made to Miranda and her grandmother, we’d made a connection when Gwen was arrested the first time and the little girl would call whenever she was in trouble. Trouble being anything from it’s hot to I can’t find my grandma. This is why I hated that she was in this situation. My back slid along the wall until the scene came into view. Jason had Gwen held up by her hair both her eyes a bright almost shining purple, lip bloodied and swelling. Grandma’s had been obviously been hit as well but she was now curled up in the corner beside Miranda. Poor girl had tears streaming down her cheek, sometime during this all she had peed her pants and was desperately trying to hide it. I was made the second she saw my face::

“PIPER” ::Miranda stood up to run and that’s when Jason pointed his gun her way, instantly grandma grabbed her leg and pulled her back::

{She moves and I will end her, Piper, without a second thought} “NO” ::Screamed Gwen trying anything to get loose now, she bit and clawed at any part of him she could.::

Come on, Jason, what the fuck? This isn’t you. You’ve never put her life on the line before, why now? ::I kept my gun trained on him while slowly moving myself between Miranda, grandma and himself:: What gives? Tell me and maybe we can talk this out. You know me, know I would do anything to help your kid and family. So talk to me. Tell me what’s happening. ::He paused a moment glancing down at Gwen, I didn’t know what he was thinking or what was going on in his mind just that he was still. My eyes wavered between his movements and the gun, then suddenly it dropped, the butt of his gun hitting his ex in the head. She was down in an instant. Still breathing but unconscious. There was a shrill, high pitched scream to my left:: “MOMMA”

JASON! I’ve given you a chance ::I stepped in closer completely forgetting about Riggs:: Put down the gun now.

{What are you going to do, Detective, shoot me in front of my kid? You really want to traumatize her further? You’re too soft for that shit. That’s the whole problem with you bitches. Too fucking soft. Gwen was a fucking bitch, couldn’t handle any fucking thing. She owed me money, owed the gang money and she blew us off to visit the kid. She was supposed to ask my mom for money, was supposed to meet up last night with it, She didn’t . She knew what would happen. Miranda will make a lot of fucking money for us.}

::I gasped, shaking my fucking head at what I was hearing. I stepped in one step closer unsure if I could keep myself from slapping this asshole with my own fucking gun:: You are ..there are no words for scum like you. Drop the gun, get down on your knees and put your hands on your hea…

Riggs: -I heard what was happening before I even went in, fucking Hart. She had no control before she even went in. Jason had it all. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.Now she needed me to save her. I peek around the corner to see Gwen down, Miranda in her grandmas grasp and Piper in a full showdown with Jason. This was going to end one way and it wasn’t with my partner getting injured, it was with the perp getting one in the chest. At least if things went my way. I walked into the room slowly, neither seemed to notice until I called out- On your six, Hart. Jason I’d listen to her, I can take you out right here and now. Drop it. -He only seemed to grin darkly, Piper shifted a single inch and took two shots. One ripped through her side while the other buried itself in her abdomen. She turned to look at me before her hands covered the wounds, next she dropped to the floor. Miranda was in hysterics- Fuck. -This time there was no second thought, Jason knew it was over he dropped the gun and got down on his knees and instantly his hands were lifting to settle behind his head. I didn’t give two shits. I shot before he had his secondhand lifted, I kicked him back watching as he began to bleed out, the put the gun back in his palm.