CHAPTER II---BEGINNING AFTER THE END(1)

Next day, early morning

After Vincent came back from his run, he saw his mom preparing breakfast, he said good morning and went to his room to freshen up. After getting ready, he came back down and by that time Madelyn had already finished preparing breakfast.

"Come, son let eat while talking." Madelyn said as she set down the plates and dishes on the table. Vincent sat by the table and started serving the dishes himself while Madelyn also sat beside him. While eating, Madelyn asked

"So, tell me about Maya and Pietro."

"Well, Mom, I am sorry for taking a decision without asking you." Vincent said as he was feeling guilty about going missing for five years and suddenly coming back and thrusting two people into her life without her permission or knowledge.

"It's okay, Son. I know you must like them so much to willing to let them be part of our lives. And I know for sure that you wouldn't have adopted before knowing them." Madelyn said with a loving smile.

"Thanks, mom for putting up with my willfulness. I know you must have been scared and worried without knowing what happened to me. I am also sorry for disappearing on you like that. You must have been scared." Vincent said with a guilty and forlorn face.

"Well, I was angry and worried at first. Then I thought you must have done that to protect us. So, I let it go and spend everyday praying to god to bring you back safely to us. And seeing you here, I am most thankful to the lord for protecting you." Madelyn replied holding his hand and then after a pause she continued

"Let's leave all this sad talk behind. Tell me about Maya and Pietro."

"Mom, I was undercover in a white supremacist terror group who did human, arms and drug trafficking all around the world. Last year, as part of human trafficking, this group murdered their parents in Ukraine and trafficked them for sale." Vincent said with forlorn with anger simmering in his eyes. After a pause he continued as Madelyn slightly choked up for tears

"Seeing those children's haggard face and lifeless eyes, my conscious couldn't let them befall any more harm. So, I took them under me. After spending nearly, a year protecting them, I couldn't help but like them, I started seeing them as my little brother and sister. After that, rest is history. When I finished my undercover assignment, I adopted them and thought I could give them a good home." Vincent said with his expressions going from gloomy to warm smile as he mentions them. 

"Poor children. You made a good decision, Son. I am proud of you." Madelyn said with a beaming smile radiating on her face. After a moment of pause, she asked again nervously.

"So, what's next? Are you going back Undercover?"

"No, I am not going back again. I plan to settle down. I thinking of becoming a LAPD detective. Even though it may be little tough but I can get flexible hours and also have more time to spend with you." Vincent said with a serious tone.

"Why not go back to being a doctor? You know this job is dangerous." Madelyn asked in a pleading tone.

"Mom, you know being a doctor was to save dad's life. Since dad's passing, being a doctor has hurt me more than I could save people. And being a police officer, I feel like I am in a good place. Even though this jobs come with its fair share of troubles, I am willing to do it. I know whatever I say won't reduce your worries about me but I can assure I will be more careful on the job and you don't have to worry, I won't be taking any undercover ever again." Vincent said reassuring his mother.

"I understand, son." Madelyn replied with a sigh.

Tring tring…

Vincent answered his phone. After talking for few moments, he said to Madelyn

"Mom, I have to go Wilshire division. We will talk more after I come back." Vincent said as he washed his hands, gave his mom a hug and kiss on her cheek as he took his coat and phone as he walked out the door.

"Bye. Be careful on the road." Madelyn said with concern in her voice.

"Bye. Love you." Vincent said as he let the door close behind him.

Vincent got on his car and drove on to Wilshire police station. He parked his car in the lot and walked into the lobby. When he entered the lobby, he saw that everyone was busy, some attending calls, some doing paper works, some chatting or doing something. He walked to watch commander's office, Nobody stopped him, nobody recognized me until he reached the watch commander's office and knocked on the door.

"Can I come in?" Vincent asked as the commander looked up from the computer. He was confused for a moment before it lit up his face in recognition as he got up from his seat and said in surprised tone

"Vincent. Why are you here?"

"I got out, sergeant. Didn't the FBI L.A fill you in?" Vincent asked confused that sarge was walking even though Maggie asked him to come here.

"No. What happened? Wasn't it a one year job? Why did you go in deep undercover?" Sergeant Rob asked worried

"That greedy conniving brats. Well, after my FBI handler was murdered, everything spiraled out of control and there was no concrete evidence to lock them up so I made a decision to go deep undercover. " Vincent replied

"Well, it was a stupid decision." Rob replied furious.

"Who are you calling, greedy Vincent?" Maggie along with Chief of LAPD walked in to the office as Maggie asked while Rob saluted her.

"Of course, it's not you, Maggie. I am just broadly mentioning the FBI." Vincent replied with a cheeky smile.

"Yeah, Yeah, don't let them hear it or they will tear it you apart." Maggie waved it off.

"heh!! Let them try." Vincent scoffed.

"Vince, this is our chief." Rob introduced Chief to Vincent.

"Nice to meet you, Chief. Officer Vincent Quinn." Vincent shakes his hand with chief as he introduces himself and then he turns and introduces Maggie to them. "This is FBI Special agent in charge of LA branch, Maggie."

"Nice to meet you. Wilshire watch commander, Sergeant Rob Wilson." Rob introduces himself.

"So, Officer Vincent Quinn, I am here regarding the feats you accomplished in New York the day before yesterday and during your tenure in the Nuevo Brotherhood as an UC. On behalf of the LAPD, I officially promote you to Sergeant. And I also offer you any assignment in LAPD, any unit, any division or any position you want. It's what we unofficially call 'THE GOLDEN TICKET'. Chief said as he shakes his hands with Vincent with a smile.

"Thank you, Sir. Can you give me some time to decide?" Vincent asked.

"Of course. You let me know when you decide. Either way you will get plenty offers due to your accomplishments, I don't know if our small department could even hold you." Chief said with a pained and forced smile.

"Well, I plan to stay here, chief." Vincent replied

"Oyy, don't decide too soon." Maggie said with a smile

"Yes, she is right, Officer Quinn, even though I would happy to keep you here. You would have better career in a federal agency." Chief said

"Okay, thanks chief. I will let you know my decision soon." Vincent said

"Okay." Chief said as he gave a curt nod and walked away.

"You know, there is someone interested in you. She may be reaching out soon to you." Maggie said.

"Well, let's hear her offer first. Now, what did you call me here for." Vincent asked

"There are two things. This arrest has too much noise, chaos and was lighting fast. So, some of them couldn't get their scraps and some are trying to cut out the LAPD. So, you need to be careful." Maggie said seriously giving a look.

"Do they want to indict me also?" Vincent asked with a serious look which slowly broke into a dangerous smile.

"Don't worry, that won't happen but still we have to shut them up." Maggie said

"Let them all jump together. I will do a polygraph but I want them all buried." Vincent said with a wicked smile.

"You have become cruel. Don't worry I will make sure they won't be able to get back up for at least a decade." Maggie said with a smile as he patted on his shoulder.

"Good, what's the second news?" Vincent asked

"President wants to meet you." Maggie said

"Why?" Vincent asked confused

"Presidential medal." Rob said with a joyous smile congratulating him.

Maggie smiled when she heard this and after a pause, she continued

"Day after tomorrow we have to go to D.C."

"Okay, but can you ask them if we can let do it without noise. Just a close-knit group." Vince asked

"I will see what I can do." Maggie said as she said her byes and went to do her work.

 "Wow, you really nailed it, Presidential medal. Congrats Vince." Rob said

"Thanks, sergeant." Vincent replied

After Maggie went away, Vincent talked with Wilson for some more time and then left the station. He drove to the HARBOUR-UCLA Medical Center, parked his car and walked in. As he walked in, he paused and took in the sight of interns running from here there, nurses busy with work and doctors attending to patients. Seeing the familiar scenes, he smiled thinking 'it hasn't changed much' as he walked through the hallways. Suddenly, the double door was pushed open and a patient was rolled in with a paramedic with his hands inside the patient's chest sitting on top of the patient.

Vincent was surprised to see this scene but recovered soon as this was not the first time seeing it and walked towards the attendings room. When he reached their, he knocked on a door which had a nameplate [ Dr. DANIEL HARRIS, PLASTIC SURGEON]

"Come in." A man's voice came from inside the room.

Vincent entered the room and said

"Hey, Danny, how are you?"

"Vince, What brings you to my humble abode? Where have you been? I tried calling few times but call didn't go through." Daniel said with a raised voice and a surprised smile.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was in a place where I couldn't contact." Vincent said with an awkward smile while scratching his chin.

 "Where? Himalayas or Alps or did you go to experience tribal life?" Daniel asked with mischievous tone and stars in his eyes.

"Yeah, something like that. I will tell you about it later. First, help me with this." Vincent said as he removed his shirt.

"Wow, wow, dude, I don't swing that way. Always a lady's man." Daniel said with a playful tone.

"Shut up, and help me. Can you remove this tattoo?" Vincent said displeased with his antics

"Oh, that is a big one and racist too. I didn't no this about you. What have you been doing, dude?" Daniel asked with a serious surprised to see his friend in new light.

"It's not what you thing. After passing as the probationary officer, I joined a LAPD-FBI taskforce as Undercover in white supremacist brotherhood. So to keep up appearances, I had to tattoo it." Vincent said to him.

"Oh, I am relieved. I thought you had gone astray." Daniel said as he sighed in relief.

"So, tell me how fast can you remove it?" Vincent asked as he put on his shirt

"Don't worry I can remove it with laser surgery but it may take few tries as after each session you have let your skin heal and take plenty of rest." Daniel said

Suddenly Daniel phone coder started beeping continuously. Daniel took to check it and saw it was 'code black'. He turned to Vincent and said

"It's code black."

"Let's go check it." Vincent said as he stormed out of the room.

When they reached the lobby, they saw nurses evacuating patients and the lobby was filled with chaos. Amidst the chaos, Vincent called out

"Amelia."

"Vince, what are you doing here?" Amelia asked

"Let's talk about that later. Tell me what happened first." Vincent asked.

"Oh, it's nothing we have patient who has live warhead from bazooka in his abdomen." Amelia said with nervous laugh.

"Shit." Daniel cursed.

 While they were talking, a nurse walked up to Amelia and said

"Dr. Storm, Dr. Clyde is held up by another patient and can't extricate himself." 

Amelia clicked her tongue and started thinking what to do but her eyes lit up the light as she looked at Vincent and said

"Vince, your skills have not been rusted, right?"

"Of course not." Vincent replied with a smirk.

"Then let's go. You are the attending on this case. And Vince please try to not blow up my hospital." Amelia said gravely.

"I'll try. Now give me the chart." Vincent said to Amelia as he walked towards OR.

Vincent changed into the scrubs and walked into the OR. A resident doctor, a paramedic and an aneisthologist was only ones in the room. The doctor was pumping air into patient while the aniesthologist kept his vitals under control.

"What's the paramedic's name?" Vincent asked the Amelia.

"Luna." Amelia replied

"Hi, Luna. I am Dr. Vincent Quinn. How are you holding up?" Vincent asked amicably

"I am scared. Will I die?" Luna asked terrified for her life.

"Well, that's what I am here for. To save you and everyone in this room. You must stay strong and not move your hand. Okay?" Vincent asked while calming her down.

"Okay." Luna said with sobs breaking to come out.

"Bomb squad's here." Amelia tapped to get my attention and whispered to me.

"Luna, I have to step out of this room for a minute. You are brave girl. Hang on." Vincent said to her before stepping out of the room.

Bomb squad set up their equipment outside the East OR as it was fully evacuated. Amelia, me and Sergeant stan stood in front of the x-rays of the patient.

"How do we do this, Sergeant?" Vincent asked.

"It is really a tricky situation, since it's homemade, it could blast even at the slightest movement, so, we have to navigate it cautiously and very carefully." Sergeant Stan said

"If I open him up fully, how much time do you need to safely get it out of the patient using the robot and put it in blast containment vessel." Vincent asked.

"If we set up the early, we can finish in 30sec to a minute." Sergeant Stan said.

"But Vincent he will bleed out before we can sew him up. Even if we sew him up, there are many unforeseen circumstances. It is a big risk, that could even derail our career." Amelia said

"There is no other option, Amelia. If we don't put that in a safe place, we will potentially lose many more. It is a risk we have to take." Vincent said.

"He is right, Dr. Storm. We have to take this risk." Sergeant Stan said gravely.

 "But Vince—" before Amelia could continue they heard a yell help.

Stan, Amelia and Vincent ran to the OR and saw Luna started crying while the resident doctor was squeezing the air bag.

"What happened? Where is Dr. Lawson?" Maggie asked nervously

"He left. Said he had two kids." Luna said crying.

"Luna, look here, look at me, you have to calm down, take two deep breath in and two breaths out." Vincent said as she inhaled and then exhaled, then did it again.

"Luna, we have made plan. Don't worry, don't panic. We will get you out." Vincent said attempting to calm her down.

"No, I am going to die, Aren't I?." Luna started hyperventilating again as she rambled on

"I am only 22 years old. I have so much to do this world. I haven't traveled much, I haven't married. I want to become mom. Oh, mom and dad will be devastated if they hear I died." She started crying as she was driven by guilt over protecting herself or being a hero..

"Luna , listen to me.." Vincent attempted to connect with her and calm her down

"I don't want to die . I don't want ---" She rambled on scared with tears flowing down her cheeks and then suddenly she pulled out her hand. The moment we saw it, we ducked down to take cover. The blast we were hoping for didn't come. When we rose up and looked, We saw Luna's hand was out soaked in blood as she broke down crying and the resident doctor's hand was in his chest pinching down on the wound.

"Sergeant, take Luna out of here." Vincent said to the sergeant as he didn't whether to sigh in relief that warhead didn't explode or be angry at the doctor putting herself and the unborn baby in her in danger.

"Oh shit, Eve what did you do?" Maggie said as she sighed in frustration.

 "I am idiot. You are an idiot, Eve." Evelyn kept muttering to herself without replying to Amelia.

"Sergeant Stan, we don't have much time. Get the equipment's ready ASAP." Vincent said to Stan as the Sergeant gave a curt nod due to the seriousness of the situation and went to complete the task.

"Dr. …" Vincent called and then turned to Amelia signaling for her name as he didn't know.

"Park." Amelia said gravely

"Dr. Park, Can you hear me?" Vincent asked

"Yes." She Replied

"You should be careful to not move your hands. Even a slight movement maybe enough for this room and us along with it to go KA-BOOM. So, be extra careful to be still." Vincent said.

"Okay." Dr. Park replied

"So, when is your due date?" Vincent asked

"In a month." Dr. Park replied.

"You will be able to make it to that day, I promise you. So, don't be disheartened, okay?" Vincent said to her.

In the meantime, Sergeant Stan came back with his team and started setting up the blast containment vessels as well as TALON robot. While they were setting up, Dr. Park looked at Vincent for a few seconds and said

"Vincent, I have to say something to you."

"I am listening, Dr. Park." Vincent replied as Dr. Park used her hand to remove her surgical Mask. When Vincent saw Dr. Park face, he was shocked and he started to become nervous as beads of sweats were becoming visible on his foreheads as well as his palms were soaking with sweat. He looked at her intently for a moment and asked in a broken voice

"Eve…lyn…"

"Hi, Vincent, you remember me. And you should have guessed what I am about to tell you." Evelyn said with a forced smile.

"That's my child." Vincent asked in hoarse and strained voice.

"Yes." Evelyn replied as everyone in the froze, the officers, Amelia and Vincent was shocked into realization that a family was standing knee deep into a situation that could explode at any moment.

"Vince…" Amelia called out to intending to comfort him but before she could get a word out he spoke

"Sergeant Stan, are you all set up."

"Yes, Dr. Quinn. We ready and a go." Sergeant Stan replied.

"Amelia, it's time to start the surgery. We can't wait anymore. Everyone should clear out the room." Vincent said as he gave orders

"I will stay to help." Amelia said

"No, opening the wound up and patching the wound, I can do it myself. Don't need unnecessarily risk lives." Vincent rejected her help.

"But…" Amelia was about to protest but Vincent cutted her off as he said

"No, Amelia. You need to leave." Vincent said sternly and adamantly. Amelia understanding that he wouldn't listen to her, turned to leave the OR. Before reaching the door, Vincent called out to her as he said

"Amelia, if we don't make it, tell my mom, sister, Maya and Pietro. I am sorry that I couldn't keep my promise because I had to save my unborn child." Amelia hearing this walked out of the door as tears slowing slid down her cheeks.

Vincent took the scalpel from the tray and stood by side when he heard Evelyn cry. Vincent looked at her and said

"Eve, Don't cry and please don't move. For our son, you have to be strong and don't worry unless the grim reaper steps on my body he won't be able claim you or our child today. Believe me." Vincent said firm tone carrying his confidence. Evelyn nodded her head at this as she stabilized herself.

Vincent took the scalpel and cut through his skin like a machine who has done it infinite time. He expanded the incision from both sides to see the warhead inside the patient. After getting a look inside, he understood where is wound or tissue damage. He first started sealing all the wounds using surgical adhesives. After that he called in the radio and said

"Sergeant, I have repaired all the wounds, now there is only one wound which we have to seal before doing further procedures but for that we have to remove the warheads. So let's start positions the TALON."

"Roger that." Sergeant Stan said as he gave a nod to his officer, who expertly drove the Robot and positioned its hands just above the warhead.

"On your mark, doctor." Sergeant Stan radioed in while Amelia staring praying and officers were all on edge as the OR went into silence

"Okay, when I count to 3 you can start." Vincent said back into the radio and then turned to Evelyn and said

"Eve, when you hear 3, you have let go of your hand and move further to that corner and Stan that's your cue."

"Okay." Evelyn said

"All clear." Stan replied

 "Ready…1…2…3"

Vincent rushed Evelyn to a safe corner trying to cover.

Boom

"Dr. Quinn, can you hear me? Dr. Quinn, Are you okay?" Sergeant Stan asked

"cough, cough… We are safe. You can enter and transfer the patient to an available OR." Vincent replied as every body jumped in joy and sighed in relief.

 "Eve, are you okay?" Vincent asked with concern.

"Yeah, how about you?" Evelyn asked back

"I am good, now get up let's get you to an ER." Vincent said.

Amelia along with Nurses and some officers entered the OR as they transported the patient and helped us. Vincent handed Evelyn to nurse as he followed Amelia to operate on the patient. By the time, we reached the OR in surgical gowns, they had already started to irrigate the wound and cleaning them of any infection.

After finishing the surgery, Vincent handed the closing up of the patient to Dr. Bay and Walked out of the OR along with Amelia. As we were walking towards the patient's family, Amelia smirked at him and asked

"So, You and Evelyn, how did that happen?"

"8 months ago, a one- night stand" Vincent replied blandly as a small smirk played on his eyes amused at gossipy face of Amelia.

"That's all. Give me the full story." Amelia said pouting.

"That's a long story. It should be spoken over lots of beer and meat. Are you free tomorrow? Swing by the house tomorrow, then maybe I could satisfy you." Vincent said with a big grin on his face

"Deal." Amelia said after which we informed his family about the surgery. Then Amelia went to write the report while Vincent walked towards the ER.

When Vincent came to the lobby of ER, he saw Nurse Emma standing at the counter attending a call. He smiled at her and asked

"Emma, do you know where Evelyn is?"

"Bed no. 16." Emma smiled back as she mouthed the reply.

"Okay, thanks." Vincent said as he walked towards bed.

"Hey." Vincent said as he reached her side.

"Hey." She replied followed by an awkward silence.

"So, can we talk after work?" Vincent asked

"Yeah, sure. Let's meet at Sophie's." Evelyn replied back

"Okay, here is my number." Vincent gave her card and walked out of the hospital.

He drove home, parked the car on the driveway and walked into house. Everyone was sitting on the sofa in the living hall, intently listening to press conference playing on the NEWS

[ GOOD AFTERNOON,

The perpetrators of terrorist attack on New York that happened last day has been apprehended yesterday. It is a group white supremacist brotherhood with ties to Taliban that orchestrated the attack. The attack was thwarted by the joint efforts of a LAPD-FBI taskforce that had planted a UC who has been collecting evidence against this brotherhood. With utmost relief, I am happy to say that there have been zero casualties except for the damage to properties due to efficient efforts LAPD-FBI taskforce, NYPD and NYFD.

"You can ask the questions now."

"Can you elaborate on what this taskforce is."

The taskforce was started five years prior, to look into the infamous Nuevo brotherhood- a white supremacist group based out of California and has ties to Mexican cartel. The LA FBI field office collaborating with LAPD embedded a LAPD officer into this group to find out the supporter behind this group and possibly finding incriminating evidence against high ranking members of this brotherhood. After two years in there, we found out it was Senator John who was secretly supporting this group but couldn't find any actionable or incriminating evidence against him. The officer continued been UC, finally leveraging internal discords between the leaders, Senator and Rodriguez, and found incriminating evidence tying them together to the group.

"Who is this officer? Does Senator have a hand in bombing? Was Senator arrested?"

As we speak, the FBI is arresting the senator at his home and to his further understand the scope of his involvement in the bombing. As for the officer, his name is Vincent Quinn, a brilliant officer, who not only thwarted their plans but as well as played a major role in keeping the casualties at zero.

The reporters continued bombarding with questions while the FBI officer waved his hand said

With that we are ending this press conference. A detailed report will be announced at later date, thank you.]

"Wow, Brother, you brought down a criminal enterprise and a senator." Ver said smiling with pride.

"Son, you did a good job but catching a senator. Will it become a problem?" Madelyn asked worriedly

"Well, every senator has something that don't want revealed, so, there is a high chance, they won't like me. But don't worry at least they won't do anything openly. As for John, I will take care of him, even if he doesn't go to prison, his political career is essentially over." Vincent replied firmly with conviction 

"Okay, be careful." Madelyn replied

"I am planning to have barbecue tomorrow to catch up with my friends. Why don't we make it into a full blown party." Vincent asked

"Okay." Madelyn replied

"Bro, can I invite some of my friends?" Veronica asked

"Yeah, invite whoever you want. It's time to know what's happened in your life for the past five years." Vincent replied

"Okay." Veronica said as she went to inform her friends while Madelyn also went to invite some of her friends. Seeing his mom and sister on phone, Vincent sat with Maya and Pietro as they talked and played.