If Only..(Part 1 And Part 2 Included)(Under Edit)

Chapter 10 - Calm before the Storm

The constant playing of the Jackson's ringtone and his constant rejection of the same, dragged Jereff's attention from the control room screen. It was the fourth day of their search.

Despite the sadness of loosing a comrade, the Hawks decided to keep their emotions aside and give in the whole of themselves towards finding the killer. Nothing could be a better tribute to a man who died in his duty.

Jackson on the other hand, took it to a whole new level. He closed himself off. Since, Jereff and Jackson's dialogue that night, Jackson refused to do any kind of talking revolving around the situation. He even walked out of the discussions where Cody was discussed. Everyone understood, he was hurting from within.

It was during that phase, Jereff noticed him refusing to have any form of communication with Madeline. Any time the screen flashed "Maddie" his fingers would travel to the reject button.

Jackson was standing behind the people in control of the system, peering through the screen, slowly sipping off his glass of whiskey.

"Take out some time to receive the call, it won't harm." Jereff's voice made him turn towards him. Jereff gestured towards his phone, lying over the couch and Jackson understood, what he meant.

Taking in a deep breath, he warily shook his head in denial.

"You are missing out on something, Jack."

Jackson lowered his eyes and his expression softened. After carefully placing the empty glass over the counter, he sauntered across the room and couched over the egg chair, placed at the corner of the room. 

Jereff walked up to him and towered him, "Why are you doing this?"

Jackson titled his head back towards the rest and lunged, "The more the distance, the safer she is."

"No one's stupid."

"I know. This is just a small try. I can't just stay off guard, knowing that, maybe she is in stake too." shaking his head to himself, "I shouldn't have let her into my mess."

Jereff stuffed his hands inside his pocket and titled his head, "Do you still think, she is unknown to them, till now?"

Jackson kept silent.

"Cody's murder was not planted in a night. You were on the radar the whole time. So was she.

Jackson took a deep breath, "They can't trace her, if we don't stay in contact."

"How can you be so sure?"
"I know, she is the closest to me and the most vulnerable at this moment. Well, at least that's how the big heads will work."

"So you chose to stay hidden?"

"I decided to keep her hidden."

Jereff peered at him.

"I have my way." Jackson replied to his silent question.

"I hope you are not doing anything illegal.

Jackson leaned forward and looked up at him, "Exactly, from which holy hour, did you start caring about being illegal, Jeff?

Jereff, waving his hand in the air, argued, "She is not like us. She is innocent and the worse is, she is unaware of everything. Every crazy doings of yours, as well."

Jackson averted his gaze and shook his head in denial, "Trust me nothing will go wrong. I just want her safe, and I'll do anything it takes, to make it happen."

At the Intelligence department,

"Are you kidding me, Jake!" Mr. Alvarez charged at Jacob, being in his seat, "She used the Z engraved bullets. I told y'all to do that?"