Click

He heard the hammer drop and he thought his life had gone in slow motion. Like in the movies. He had a second of thought and instantly knew better. He remembered words of wisdom from basic training "If you can hear the explosion keep fighting." Reason being the explosion was secondary to the explosion. If you heard it then the bomb had already gone off and since sound was slower and the boom an expression of energy dissipating due to rapid expulsion of energy from what actually did the damage.

It was the light with no sound he had to be wary of. He had been trained well and hearing his surroundings was the life pulse of the operations he was on. Sound provided wind speed, direction. Enemy location, time of day, even what food was being prepared. Even what was said. Not just what but how.

Then he heard laughter.

The son of a bitch was laughing.

"You surprise me detective. Such heroism is the stuff you hear about in the news. I can see I'm going to have a good time playing with you."

Rick turned to the killer's location and pointed the gun.

The killer approached and Rick pulled the trigger again. Click

Then over and over. Nothing. Clickclickclickclickclick

The killer pulled out a rag and a bottle. Opened the bottle and poured something onto the rag.

He went to cover Rick's face who slapped the rag away before the thundering numbness of the killers punch landed again. The world went upside down. He'd never been punched that hard before. A few times during interrogation was close but not like this. The cloth went over his face and while he struggled it was in vain as his mouth and nose were soon covered and each breath lead further down into unconsciousness. The world shrinking to a tiny dot in his vision. The sound of Kate's screams fading into the blackness and then he entered the black.

LATER

He heard sounds again then his eyes opened and he was back in the loft.

"Rick! Wake up!"

A light slap on the face and sensation returned to face. He felt his face being pushed and moved. Puckering his face out like a fish and manipulated to look like a picture of a heavy weight getting a right hook.

"I don't wanna go to football practice." Rick mumbled still seemingly in between reality and unconsciousness.

"He'll be fine." It was Ryan confirming. "Concussion I think but he'll be alright."

Rick fluttered his eyes open and was greeted by the flash of crime scene photographers and heard the chatter coming over the walkie talkies.

He was safe and alive. He was brought to life with the joy of knowing this and peered over to see Kate who was wrapped in a blanket and talking to an officer who was taking notes. She looked like she had been crying. She peaked over and saw him lift his head.

"Rick!" She ran to him and threw her arms around him in a hug. The impact jarring his body and shaking him sending his brain swimming.

"Easy! He got the tar knocked out of him." Ryan warned.

Kate brushed her hand across his face and the gentle sign of affection shot waves throughout his face instantly making his head throb more and making him dizzy with pain.

"Kate I've been thinking…" he started. Then consciousness wobbled and he felt himself fade back into slumber land.

"Rick! I'm so sorry. Please! Wake up!"

He lifted his head and focused as best he could. His eyes lazy and red from fisted impacts.

"I'm sorry" she continued, "I don't care whether you want to be with me."

That wasn't what he wanted to hear and the topic wasn't what he wanted to talk about.

"We're getting the son of a bitch that did this. Okay? I'm not leaving until we get the son of a bitch!"

An officer came to her and put his hands on her shoulder. A motion to suggest they weren't done talking.

"He needs to get to the hospital." Ryan said. Paramedics came in with a carrier.

"Where is he going?" Asked Kate.

"St. John's."

Things wobbled again. He had to make this quick.

"Kate?"

"Yes! I'm here."

"I told you not to get into my dad's case."

"I know I'm sorry. It won't happen again. It's done."

"Good because I can't have my girlfriend going behind my back and lying to me."

"Yeah," she smiled, "I won't do that again, okay?"

"I'm the guy with the gun, okay?"

She didn't quite understand what he meant.

"Yeah, big guy with the gun. It won't happen again. I promise."

"You hear that?" His face creasing in curiosity.

"What?" She stared at him.

"That ringing. Going in and out."

Ryan interjected at that point.

"He's had serious head trauma. We gotta take him in."

Rick was lifted to the carrier and made to lay down. An oxygen mask was placed over his head and he was covered.

"I'm going with!" She said.

"We all are." The voice was Johanna. "We all need to be checked out and I demand it now."

Alex was silent for the moment and seemed compliant with the wishes.

"Okay, we gotta go now." Ryan stated and Kate immediately went to her bedroom. Moments later she had pants on and they all piled into the ambulance.

The siren rang on their way to the hospital and as Kate reached out to hold Rick's hand the word's that came to his memory rang in unison with the bells in his head –

I can see I'm going to have a good time playing with you.

You guys are seriously the best! Especially the French guy's review. International baby! Buy my book "Chronicles of Valdez" it's a scifi horror/romance in the spirit of Castle inspired nonsense. I really hope you guys pick it up. My name is Arsi Mckhoi and you guys haven't seen anything yet.

Season two in development. A short break and I'll ponder style choice (I don't like writing the same way twice or taking the same approach twice) then I'll rock your minds like a hurricane in a few weeks.

Matt your suggestions were tremendous. If I make a few changes and make it a full on book I'll dedicate it to you buddy. You too cowgirl. Remember! Any review welcome! Good or Bad! I listen I really do!

Writer's block doesn't exist. Only writer's boredom. – A.G. Carpenter