Title: Fragile
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

Jo's heart nearly stopped when she heard a body hit the floor. She wanted to call out to her partner but couldn't risk halting the plan. Not with Adam in the room. Jo heard footsteps as Adam walked around the bed to the side near the window. They'd chosen this room since it was an interior one, no window. They hadn't wanted Adam to have another means of escape. Now Jo was wishing they'd nixed that idea. Even though the day had been overcast they would've had light. Jo eased her gun out from under the sheets and took off the safety. She hadn't heard any further movement from the floor and hoped Mike was only injured. If Adam had killed him Jo wasn't sure what she'd do.

"Whatever little plan you have; it will not work."Adam continued calmly.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."Henry stated from somewhere near the door.

Jo's heart leapt at the sound of the M.E.'s voice. This wasn't part of the plan. Henry was supposed to stay with Reece. Why had he altered the plan?

"That was foolish of you, Henry."Adam said coldy.

Just then the emergency lights kicked on. The hospital must've had a backup generator in another section. Jo breathed a sigh of relief and hoped the critical patients were out of danger and none were lost. The lights were small red bulbs that ran every few feet along the wall by the door similar to movie theater isles. Jo sat up raising her gun. She glanced at Henry and then down at Mike's still form.

"Jo."Henry hissed in warning.

Jo looked at Adam he did not appear to have a gun. There was however a wicked looking knife in his right hand.

"I have learned quite a few fighting techniques in a thousand years, Detective."Adam stated looking down at the knife in his hand. "I could kill your partner before you got a shot off. Do you wish to risk that?"

"You wanted my attention."Henry broke in angrily. "You have it. Let them go. We can go somewhere and settle this."

"As tempting as that is, it would not be any fun."The older immortal countered as he stepped towards Jo.

Reluctantly Jo put down her gun and put the safety back on. She couldn't risk Mike's life.

"Let them go."Henry said once more.

Jo inched herself off the bed and freed her feet from the sheets. Maybe if Henry kept his enemy talking Jo could disarm Adam.

"I have another wrinkle to add to this tale."Adam began as he pulled out a cell phone. "I took into consideration that the hospital would have a backup generator. I have placed a toxin in the airvents it is rigged to a timer..."

Mike suddenly launched himself at Adam in an NFL tackle move any coach would be proud of. The cell phone and knife went airborne. Jo dodged out of the way of the knife as she and Henry both scrambled for the cell phone. Henry caught the device just as Mike slammed Adam against the corner of a wardrobe. The knife clattered harmlessly to the floor near Jo's bed. With a final punch Mike rendered the immortal unconscious. Wasting no time Mike placed handcuffs on Adam.

"Bastard."Mike muttered.

Jo started towards the door to get their boss when the woman in question entered with four officers behind all with weapons drawn.

"We're fine here."Jo informed. "He claims to have put a toxin in the airvents; on a timer. We don't believe the timer's been activated."

"Good work."Reece complimented as she took the cell phone from Jo. "I'll have hospital security check the airvents."

After Reece left Jo sat heavily down on the edge of the bed. It was over; they'd won.

"Thank you."Henry said simply.

Jo stood and walked over to the immortal wrapping him in a hug. She reached over and closed the door so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Anytime, Doc."Mike responded with a grin. "Nothing better than getting a psychopathic thousand year old immortal off the streets."

Jo laughed resting her head on Henry's right shoulder.

"I'm starting to get used to this new normal."Jo commented.

"Not me."Mike said as he hauled an unconscious Adam to his feet. "Never will wrap my head around it."

Jo smiled grateful her partner was alive. He looked like hell cuts and scratches on his face, split lip. His left eye was already starting to bruise. Nothing a few weeks wouldn't cure.

"You need to go home and rest,"Henry urged.

"No, I want to see the cell door close."Jo argued.

"Alright."Henry said with reluctance. "I just want to get him there; sooner the better."

After much debate when finalizing the plan Henry had known the irony of Adam ending up in a mental institution. Especially since Henry had spent so much time in one decades before. Still Henry knew the classic padded room with not even a bed to sleep on would be their best chance of imprisonment. Forty minutes later they arrived at one such maximum security institution on Staten Island.

Adam had been sedated before they left the hospital as a precaution. The immortal was still out as he was placed in the closet sized cell and the door closed and locked. Henry glanced over at Jo. To him she still looked too pale and tired. Yet there was a smile on her face as she met his gaze.

"Now you can stay."Jo said as the guard left.

"I'm going to finish the paperwork."Mike interjected as he left.

"Your secret's safe."Jo continued after her partner left. "You can continue to work with us."

"You still want me to?"Henry asked in surprise. "After everything?"

"Yes."Jo replied quietly.

"You are amazing Jo Martinez."Henry said quietly as he moved them a few feet away from Adam's cell. "I can't thank you enough. You trusted me; believed me."

"You helped me live again; fair trade."Jo replied softly.

Even though it was hardly a romantic setting Henry leaned in and kissed Jo briefly. With a last glance back at Adam's cell Henry placed an arm around Jo's waist.

"Come on, I'll take you home."Henry said quietly.

end