Title: City Under Siege
Chapter 1 – Priority of Life

Summary: AU rewrite of 5.11/12 A vengeful madman would bring the city to its knees and force the SRU to realize just how precious life is and show them all that in the blink of an eye, lives and futures could change forever.

Disclaimer: If you don't know by now read my other AU/FP stories lol there is no Sophie and no Hank, our AU couple is happily married and I only own the idea behind that and my OC's if any – don't sue, I have no money lol the rest belongs to FP

A/N: Yes I'm back! (can't stay away from our AU couple it seems!) Okay so as you all know I did not like the way they ended FP (sorry writers but they way you killed our fave female SRU in a word sucked lol-yes even now I'm still upset and can't watch the ending of that eppy no matter what) *le sigh* however I wanted to do a rewrite like I did with Fault Lines/Personal Effects for our AU couple. So much like that one, there is no Sophie, Hank and no Clark and the person in trouble will be Roy, and remember NO GOOD GUYS DIE! Oh and since this is AU, Wordy's back in action. Sorry I do love Leah (she's great) but I can't have Ed w/out Wordy at his side and missed him in action in the finale so this makes me feel better also haha. So hope you all like this little short story and thanks so much!

Note: Words in italics and double quotes taken directly from episode

"Please tell me that isn't the alarm already," Donna groans as she hears her husband's grumble seconds before his strong hand lands on the alarm clock, nearly sending it flying and forcing her to slightly smirk as her eyes finally open and look up at him. "Morning."

"Morning," Ed answers with a small sigh as he too blinks the tired sleep from his eyes; both having stayed up late the night before and feeling it this morning.

"Our friends are getting married today, why are we working again?"

"Because we're both gluttons for punishment," Ed replies with a soft smirk as his fingers gently brush a stray blond strand from her face; her eyes closing in delight to his loving touch. "You can always call in sick."

"I will be there for the ceremony, as least I told my team we have to try to get there, uniforms or not. That's the most important part of the wedding day," Donna states with a small frown as her eyes open once more. "Still can't believe Holleran didn't give you all the day off."

"That was Sam and Jules call," Ed shrugs. "But they didn't want to postpone and wanted all of the team there for their vows so a day with a shift in between had to suffice. How did Tom manage to scam today off?" Ed inquires as he props himself up on his elbow and looks down at his loving wife of two years.

"He had some family stuff with Amy and I didn't press," she purses her lips. "Jim Barns from team two is subbing today for the extra shift. Needs the cash. You know speaking of wedding's…"

"I talked to Roy already."

"You have?"

"I have and he said he's going down to City Hall today to get the license," Ed replies in truth.

"Talk about cutting it close. The wedding is next weekend," Donna says with a small frown.

"I know," Ed answers with a heavy frown as his jaw tightens. "But…"

"You still think he'll bail? Wendy is the best thing that's ever happened to him. Doesn't he know a good thing when he has one?"

"What can I say, only one of us was blessed with brains," Ed lightly boasts.

"And you got the looks," Donna teases as her eyebrows playfully wag.

"Oh is that so," Ed playfully growls in return before his strong arms capture her in his grasp; her lips emitting a soft giggle before his mouth covers hers and their bodies quickly meld into one; starting the day with an adventurous intimate romp, and not knowing it would end with misery and anxiety.

"Okay, behave while I'm out keeping the peace."

"I will see you in a few hours. And remember today's gonna be just a regular boring day," Ed smiles as he leans in for a kiss.

"Boring? Shall I tell Sam you called his wedding boring?"

"Sure, he's not team leader," Ed retorts with a small shrug.

"You mister are trouble. Okay I gotta go. Love you."

"Love you too."

Donna takes her leave, jingling her keys in her hand as she heads for the elevator, her mind replaying the morning and her lips offering the outward smile of her inner feeling of joyful contentment. When Ed had asked her to marry him two years ago she did have some reservations about marrying someone else in the profession, trying to come up with reasons from it was too dangerous to wanting someone the complete opposite at least profession wise to counter the job stress. But in her heart, she knew the day she met Ed Lane, he was the only one she wanted to marry. The danger part came with the territory; they just did their best to know it was there but not think about it?

'So you met Ed Lane,' Tom had mentioned over two years ago. 'What's he like?'

"Perfect," she whispers out loud as she remembers her cryptic reply before walking away from her then friend and fellow SRU applicant who would later become her team leader. But Tom was busy with family stuff so her reminiscing with him would have to wait until she was at the same table at the wedding reception later in the day.

"Please tell me today's going to be boring," Donna groans as she nears the SRU reception desk and smiles at Winnie. "So I'm not the only girl left out of the ceremony."

"Don't even get me started," Winnie replies with a groan as Jimmy walks up to their desk.

"Morning Jimmy," Donna greets as she heads past him toward the locker room to get changed for the day; her mind offering her lips a happy tune – none of them having any idea of the deadly twist that was lurking. "Okay…let's keep the peace," she pats him on the shoulder and the two of them head toward the small team three meeting room to gather up the rest of their team and head out into the field.

"Got a feeling today's gonna be a good day," Jimmy mentions.

"Yeah? Hope you're right," Donna replies with a small smile.

XXXXXXXX

"So Roy's actually getting married this time?" Wordy asks as they head loiter outside in the warm sunny afternoon after Sam and Jules wedding ceremony had concluded.

"Trust me I'll believe it when I see it," Ed replies with a small groan as he looks at his watch. "Said he was heading down to city hall this afternoon to pick up the license. Donna won't let me ask Wendy if she's marrying him on a pity plea," Ed gently chuckles as Wordy gives him a small head shake. "What can I tell ya, I know my brother," Ed shrugs as they slowly meander through the crowd; Shelly talking to Marina and Greg.

"Have you talked to her?" Wordy lightly suggests.

"Wendy? No. In all honesty I do wish them all the best."

"But?" Wordy presses.

"But Donna said I couldn't tell her what he's really like," Ed groans as Wordy slaps him on the back.

"Speaking of your wife," Wordy nods toward Donna and Jimmy a few meters back, Donna pulling away from her temporary team leader and heading toward her husband and best friend. But as she nears, it's evident to all by Ed's outward smile, just how in love with his wife he is.

"I mean really, it's a fabulous dress. I like it a lot," Ed can't help but tease.

"Really?"

"Yes Donna," Ed replies with a small laugh.

"Such a gentleman," Donna glares at her husband, giving him a small headshake as she looks at Wordy with a wry expression who offers a small chortle. "Always a kind word, that's why I love you," Donna gives Ed a playful slap on his shoulder as Greg walks up to them. "Debrief went long, some people have to work hard."

"Will we see you at the reception tonight?" Greg asks Donna in wonder.

"Absolutely," she answers Greg with a big smile before Ed decides to playfully interject.

"You know what, Team One's got a shift to get through, because some of us…work even harder. Not a word, not a word," Ed gives her a mock serious expression and he quickly retreats before she can call him on his lame statement; Ed earning a look of sarcastic shock from his wife before he makes his hasty exit.

"Never seen you walk that fast," Wordy snickers as the two of them get into the truck and head toward SRU headquarters; the rest of the team following in their SUV's.

"I married to a woman that could put me on my ass if she wanted," Ed replies with a grin as he steers them through traffic.

"Not that you mind," Wordy counters.

"Not at all," Ed nods with a smile. "But trust me I'll hear it tonight for her missing the ceremony."

"You taped it right?"

"Spike's making me a copy right now. Hey I value my life you know."

"More like you don't want to be sleeping on the couch," Wordy teases.

"That too," Ed agrees as they reach SRU headquarters. They all file in to get dressed in their professional attire, no one really batting an eye when Sam and Jules head for the women's locker room to get changed at the same time; Spike heading for Winnie's desk to show her what she missed at the ceremony and Ed and Wordy heading for the men's locker room to get changed.

Ed's phone buzzes to life and he's quick to reach for it and read the message from his wife; putting it away with a smirk.

"She promised to punish you for that teasing comment about her at the ceremony?" Wordy snickers as he nears Ed, both of them now fully dressed.

"Scary how well you know us," Ed tosses. "But think I'd mind?" Ed smiles as his phone buzzes again.

"Okay am starting to think you're honeymooners," Wordy deadpans. "Donna again?"

"No, it's Roy this time. He's got one more stop and then heading to City Hall," Ed lightly groans. "I swear he'll blame an alien landing for him not getting that license."

"Thought he actually wanted to get married," Wordy frowns.

"Yeah…thought so also."

"But?"

"He's afraid of her walking out like the last one," Ed groans. "He always blames them without looking at what he might have done to contribute to them leaving. Donna and I have our bad days but we both work hard to make it work. Roy…yeah he just doesn't get it. He's a royal pain in the ass most of the time."

"Ah but you'd miss him if he were gone," Wordy smirks.

"You sure about that?" Ed retorts as the closes his locker.

The two of them reenter the main area, walking up to Sam, Jules, and Greg; the five of them talking about the ceremony and hoping that the next few hours would pass by without incident so they could all attend the reception together. But it's not long before their attention is quickly averted toward Winnie's station; a concerned call from the 9-1-1 dispatch center and it was all hands on deck.

The teams head out into the field, hoping the hot call wouldn't be as serious as the calm but concerned caller made it out to be. But it's not long into that call that their world is suddenly rocked by frantic calls coming into the dispatch center they are trying to help.

"It's the Federal Building, Health & Welfare."

"Team, we're looking at another bomb that has gone off downtown. Massive casualties. We are looking at a terror attack."

"Ed…go!" Spike tells the team, Greg giving his verbal approval.

The four of them turn and race for their waiting trucks, Sam and Jules in one and Ed and Wordy in the other. But it's mere seconds before he pulls his phone; the only thought on his mind right now to call his wife and make sure she's okay. "Come on baby pick up," Ed chants as he listens to Donna's phone ring without answering. "Ah damn pick up," he grumbles as he hits redial, his heart rate skyrocketing with the terrible thought that she was somehow caught in the blast. Finally her voice is heard in his ear and his mind instantly settles his heart.

"Where are you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just finishing up a patrol. I just heard, you okay?"

"Yeah I am; team's okay. I'm sure Roy's okay too. He's either got the radio cranked too loud or somewhere noisy where he can't hear his phone. But call me as soon as you hear from him. He might call you first. Okay, I love you too. Yeah bye."

Ed hangs up and then looks at Wordy with a small frown as Wordy's turn to call his family. "Are they okay?"

"Shel says the girls are playing in the living room and she has the TV on in the kitchen; she doesn't want them to see the carnage. She's okay. Donna?"

"She's okay. On her way," Ed replies as they reach the blast site.

"Roy?"

"He probably didn't charge the damn battery. Wordy…look…"

"Damn," Wordy curses as they look at the scene of carnage before them and then trade horrified expressions.

"Okay team one, it's all hands on deck. Let's get out there and help out where we can," Ed tells his team over his head set before the two trucks come so a stop and two of them quickly get out. "Find survivors go!"

Knowing that his wife is safe and his brother probably helping the uni's after getting his license and unable to hear his phone, Ed's mind turns to helping find survivors and move the wounded to an area of triage. He hears screaming, crying, moaning, cursing, sirens, horns, shouting and sometimes eerie silence from the still bodies around him.

"Ed over here," Wordy gestures as Ed turns and hurries after Wordy to help two injured children; Sam inside and Jules helping the other members of EMS and directing the other SRU teams on site as they arrive. It seemed like an eternity of painful actions as they sift through the dead to find and help the living.

But the carnage wasn't over yet. What Ed and the rest of the teams, including his arriving wife, failed to realize is – another device had gone off in another part of the city; the main reason why Roy Lane wasn't answering his phone.

"Another bomb has gone off. Did you say City Hall?"

"Team listen up…"

"Boss did you say City Hall?"

"Eddie we don't have anything confirmed yet the uni's are on thei…"

"Roy's there he…" Ed's voice trails off as he looks at his watch and then lightly curses. "Maybe not. I don't know. He was supposed to go and pick up his marriage license. He said noon, but…but maybe he's late. I can't get ahold of him."

"All the lines are overloaded and you know Roy, he's a Lane. If the bomb did go off there, he's probably helping others and figuring you'd know that as you'd do the same."

"Maybe but…"

"Ed, just wait until we have more information before you and Donna get worried for nothing."

"Okay I'll call as soon as we hear word," Ed huffs as he watches Donna hurrying toward him. His mind breathes a small sigh of relief as he watches her approach; happy that she's okay but at the same time feeling a small twinge of guilt as he looks past her to the dead around them and know other spouses wouldn't be as lucky as them.

"Hey," Donna reaches Ed, her hand gently resting on his arm and giving him a small but tender glance. "Glad you're safe," she whispers as her fingers squeeze his taut forearm. He pulls her into his strong embrace for a brief but affectionate hug before they both pull apart and prepare to get back to work.

"Yeah me too," Ed replies with a small grimace as he looks away and then back at her in mild panic. But his face frowns as his eyes rest upon a small blood smear on her cheek, his fingers gesturing in that direction.

"It's not mine," her fingers gently touch her face, her fist balling and using the end of her sleeve to wipe it away. But as she studies his expression she knows something else is troubling him. "What is it? You hurt? Ed, what's wrong? I know that look. It's borderline panic."

"It's Roy. I think he's at City Hall but I haven't heard from him. He could be helping but he knows I'd be calling. I can't get through. Donna…"

"We've been given that as priority one. I'm heading there now. I'll call you as soon as I get there."

"Okay but…"

"Come on, what are the odds? This is Roy we're talking about. He's probably out there shouting orders and not bothering to check his phone. Besides we know the lines are overloaded."

"I know."

"I'm heading there now and I'll give finding Roy my top priority."

"Okay."

"I'll call you when I get there," she gives his shoulders a firm squeeze, looking at the concern in his sapphire orbs; holding them a few seconds longer. "I will call you okay? I love you."

"Love you too," Ed replies with a small whisper as he watches her go. But it's not long before Wordy's strained shouts pulls his attention back to the task at hand and he hurries back into the thick of the battle zone.

"What's going on?"

"Ed thinks his brother might be at City Hall. He was supposed to pick up his marriage license," Donna replies as she hops into the front seat of the SUV and tears away; her mind in agony as she recalls the look of despair on her husband's face. She knows how much he hates to feel so hopeless and in that second it pained her to see him so lost. But her assuring words brought back his determination and she knows his faith in her is more than well founded – it's justified.

"Come on Roy pick up," Donna tries Roy's cell number once more, not realizing that at the same time, he's calling his brother. "We're almost there," she mutters to herself as Jimmy looks over in wonder. "So much for today being boring."

"Who said that?"

"Ed this morning," she answers with a small smile. "He hates to be wrong."

"Well I was wrong too, I said today would be a good day," Jimmy groans, earning a small grimace from her in return. "Well then I hope when we find whoever's responsible, Ed has first go at him. If anyone can nail an ass to the wall it's your husband."

"I agree," she answers proudly as they near the carnage at City Hall. The SUV stops and her and her partner both get out and race toward the uniformed officer in charge; the rest of team three behind her. "Jimmy you're with me, we need to find Roy. Richard I want you to take the others and help out where you can. Same drill as at the other site."

"Copy."

XXXXXXXX

Despite the fact his mind's aptly distracted by searching Anson Holt's house for any kind of evidence they can use as to his whereabouts or his next targets if any, he also worries about his wife in thick of things, not able to account for her safety and knowing she likes to takes just as many chances as he. Added to his stress is the eerie silence from his brother. That is until….his phone rings.

Ed's eyes narrow at the number and his voice holds sharp anger as he answers in haste.

"Where the hell are you?" Ed demands from Roy as he answers his phone in haste; his job of searching Holt's home on hold for the moment. But when he hears only silence followed a small grunt in return his mind starts to race. "Roy, what's going on? Talk to me," Ed demands, both Wordy and Spike looking at him in wonder before trading worried glances.

"I can't…move," comes Roy's soft tormented reply.

"Roy? You at City Hall?...Are you in City Hall?" Ed asks again firmly; his legs already taking him toward the front door.

"Yes…garage. Can't…move."

"Okay just stay with me Roy. Spike call Donna and tell her, Roy's at City Hall. Track his phone. I'm coming to get you Roy. Just stay with me," Ed states in haste as he pushes past the rest of Team One and heads for his truck. "Roy, lemme ask you, do you feel any pain?"

"Yeah side hurts…and my legs…are killing me."

"That's okay, mean's your spine's okay buddy. Roy you know you gotta slow your breathing right? Get that heart rate right down for me okay? I taught you sniper breathing right? Roy?"

"Ed…the whole damn…parkade is on top of me," Roy replies to which Ed utters a low curse before silence ensues and his panic once again soars.

"Roy I know it hurts but I know you can hear me. We come from good stock and you're strong. Roy, you're a strong guy okay? But I need you to stay with me okay? Just stay with me."

"Hurry."

"I'm on my way buddy. Almost there."

XXXXXXXX

In that moment Donna's actions had paused as she turns her frantic gaze in the direction of the parking lot and races toward it, Jimmy still in tow. "Ed…I'm heading there now."

"Donna you gotta find him," Ed's voice begs in her ear over the headset. "He says he's buried and…"

"I'll find him, Ed I will find him."

But just as she reaches the mouth to the parking lot, fate decides its time to intervene with another deadly message waiting to be delivered.

"Damn look at this place," Jimmy states in shock.

"I know but we gotta try. Roy!"

"Donna?"

"Yeah boss."

"Donna need you to get to the lab. Could be another bomb there," Greg orders.

"I'm at City Hall looking for Roy. Roy! Anyone hear me?"

"Donna, you're the closest team to that site. I'll be right behind you."

"I know protocol boss but this is Ed's brother."

"Donna, I'm almost there, you gotta go," Ed's voice comes over her headset. "You gotta give the lab priority of life."

"ROY!" Donna calls once more. "Eddie, I'm right here."

"Donna, I got it."

"Roy!"

"It's going to be okay. But if you can stop this guy before more madness ensues then you gotta do it. I'm almost there and I'll take over."

"The lab."

"I don't want you to go either but you know we hafta stop this guy."

Donna looks at the mess before her and then back at Jimmy as her husband's voice resounds in her brain. She knows the code, lives it but in the face of all this horrific carnage was hoping it wouldn't become an issue. Now it had and to hear the pain in Ed's tone, pulls at her heart.

"Donna I got this. You found him. I'm only minutes away."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later. Jimmy let's go! Team Three let's move out!"

"Donna, stay safe," his voice tenderly pleads.

"Always Eddie," she replies almost in too much haste.

"Donna…please just be careful."

"With a guy this smart and sinister am sure he's already left. Don't worry. I love you and we'll see you soon."

"Okay. I love you too."

Donna hurries back up the exit ramp, her mind racing with anger at herself for not daring to break the code and help Ed find his injured, possibly dead brother, but inside she knows if they can stop the madman before he murders anymore innocent people she has to do it. The needs of the many always outweighed the needs of the few – or the one.

"I hope this ends here," Donna whispers in angry frustration as they race toward the lab. Her mind trails back to the pained look on her husband's face about an hour earlier and her heart starts to ache. Pulling out dead strangers was painful but not as tormented as pulling out a dead loved one. That would be beyond tormented – it would be hell if Ed found his brother's dead body.

"Okay we're here."

"Proceed with extreme caution," Greg warns over the headset.

"Donna…please be careful," Ed whispers as he hurries toward the dusty entrance and stops as watches Steve, the first EMS on scene appear with a grim expression.

"Where is he?"

"It doesn't look good Ed," Steve tells Ed in truth.

"Roy! I'm here!" Ed presses as his mind starts to focus on helping the EMS search and rescue crews extract Roy from beneath his car and the rubble around and on top of him.

"Car broke most of the fall," Steve admits as Ed shouts to Roy once more. But his mind is so preoccupied with helping with the painstaking process of extracting Roy from the rubble that he fails to listen clearly to the tense discussion between Greg and Donna about their finding Anson Holt and the odd situation he's in.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye things change.

He hears Greg frantically telling Donna to get out of there…seconds before she calls his name and then the ground literally shakes that he instantly snaps back to reality and freezes.

"Eddie!"

BOOM!

"Donna? DONNA!"

A/N: Okay so I know this is AU and therefore I am going to concentrate on our couple and not put Greg through the physical hell the real writers did and hope that's okay (but there will still be lots of angst!). and yes of course I'd never kill our beloved Donna but Ed doesn't know that yet – so expect lots of angsty tension up next as the race to recover is underway. Will the priority of life code be honored when other bombs come into play? Stay tuned. Hope you all liked this start (hope I'm not to rusty with this fandom!) and please do review and thanks so much!