Synopsis:  Hallie Markum is a hostage negotiator but to date has been unable to negotiate a love in her life.  For years all her holidays have been spent alone.  She wonders if this year will be any different than those of the past.

Appreciation goes to Jaye Morgan for her beta on this project.

Season Of Love
By Shadylady

Nearly all the offices were dark, making the brilliance from the steady blinking of the Christmas tree lights seem even more pronounced.  In her office at the end of the hall, Hallie Markum tried to concentrate on the work she was finishing before leaving for the evening.  It was Christmas Eve; another day to spend alone, another holiday to wish there was someone to share it with.  She hated all the holiday seasons, the times that family and friends gathered together in celebration of love.  She was too alone in her life and realized it even more with each passing year.  With a deep sigh, Hallie spun her chair around to look out of the wall of windows behind her desk, hoping to block out the Christmas cheer trying to invade her stark office. 

Even looking out into the black night, Hallie couldn’t miss the signs of The Season.  Street corners were decorated with multicolored lights, and cutouts of Christmas characters hung from posts.  Store windows twinkled with a brilliant cacophony of bright lights, red, green, gold, silver and nearly every color in-between.  Heavily decorated Christmas trees were on display in almost all the windows as people bustled into the stores to finish their last-minute shopping.   

Hallie could see the many costumed Santa’s standing outside the stores, ringing their bells and blessing each person that dropped a coin in their black pots.  Hallie’s mind raced with thoughts; a season to be jolly, a season to love and be merry, a season to sink into depression.  She spun back around and quickly shut down her computer, the work could wait for another day seeing how nobody else would be around to receive it.  She stood and walked briskly over to the wet bar that was recessed into the mahogany wall of her office.  Fixing a quick gin and tonic, she downed it just as rapidly before gathering her coat, turning out her lights, and leaving the office for the rest of the weekend.  There was no rush to get home.  Home….just an empty shell where she slept and dressed before coming back to work each day.  Yet there was no place else to go.   

Hallie was an orphan and had no history of any family despite the thousands of dollars she had spent on trying to locate even just one family member.  It was as if she had been dropped on earth out of nowhere.  Even her birthday was in doubt and recorded simply as the day she was found abandoned in an old tenement house on the East side of town.  She had difficulty maintaining a relationship when she felt she had nothing but herself to add to it.  She was alone not by choice but because she didn’t know how to be with anyone else.  When one doesn’t have love, one doesn’t know how to give love.  No one had taken the time to teach Hallie how to love and be loved.   Oh, she had sex and excitement but never the ‘can’t live without you’ kind of relationship, despite how hard she tried to find it.  Now, as the years continued to pass, Hallie realized she would more than likely spend all of her life alone, and never have the closeness that most people felt with someone else in their lives. 

As she walked past her desk, she tossed her badge onto its top.  There would be no point in carrying it around.  She was not working for the next two weeks by decree of the department even though she had volunteered to cover so others could be off with their families.  She was a top-notch negotiator for the police department and prided herself in how successful her cases turned out.  She might not reach someone at her level but she was able to at least prevent many potentially bad outcomes from occurring.  The department insisted she take the next two weeks off since she had worked relentlessly for over eighteen months without a break.  She didn’t have the heart to tell them that her work was her life and being set aside for two weeks was like losing something very precious to her.  Still no amount of arguing changed their minds.  Hallie flipped off the lights and headed out of the building. 

As she slowly drove down the crowded boulevard, Hallie decided to drive out to The Streetcar, an old converted diner on the East side of town.  She hoped that Susan would be working, but knew the likelihood would be low since she was a single parent with two small children.  Hallie let her thoughts drift to Susan as she maneuvered through the crowded thoroughfare. 

Hallie had been called to handle a domestic hostage and assault call a little over eight months ago.  A young woman had managed to dial 911 to report that her husband was holding her and the children hostage at gun point and was threatening to kill all of them before the phone suddenly went dead.  The SWAT Team and Hallie drove to the scene to try to defuse the situation and end the standoff with success for the victims.   

Susan Rider had told her husband that she was leaving him and taking the children with her after living with wild tantrums and physical abuse since the birth of her twins a year prior to the hostage situation.  It had taken her three months to recover from the broken ribs and arm she had received the last time her husband blew up.  Susan could see all the signs returning that would once more lead to abuse.  She feared for her life and the lives of her young babies.   

The abuse had begun when Susan’s husband had found the letters from her college lover, Alicia.  Susan had given up her lover due to pressure from her family, and had tried to conform to the ideals they wanted from their only daughter.  She knew immediately that she had made a mistake but was unclear of how to get out of the situation.  Her husband had forcefully had sex with her which resulted in her pregnancy and the two treasures of her life.  She would have tolerated the occasional verbal abuse from him,  but verbal became physical and she now feared he would turn his anger onto the children.  She asked him for a divorce.  He went ballistic and held them at gun point, threatening to kill all three of them and himself. 

Hallie arrived just as the SWAT team was setting up.  She had been to many hostage situations but never one involving children so young.  She was told they were little more than a year old.  After several hours Hallie had managed to get the husband to agree to take the cell phone that could open a network of communication between them.   

His sentences were disjointed and he was crying nearly as much as he was yelling.  Hallie knew it would be touch and go since he was so emotionally unstable.  She listened, soothed, listened more, offered help and calmly bargained to exchange her presence for the release of his hostages.  Finally after several hours, he was so exhausted mentally that Hallie was able to reach his level of understanding.  The door opened and a petite frightened woman rushed past Hallie as she walked toward the house.   

Their eyes met and Hallie could see the gratitude and fear reflected in Susan’s dark blue eyes.  Tears ran down her cheeks as she clutched two bundles of crying children tightly in her arms.  Then Susan was surrounded by Hallie’s fellow officers and the contact was broken.  Hallie continued toward the house.  Before she could enter the door, a single gun shot filled the night air.  The SWAT team rushed the house only to find that the husband had turned the gun on himself and shot a solitary bullet cleanly though his skull.  His torment had ended but at a great price to himself. 

Hallie pulled her mind back to the present.  Since that incident, she had taken to driving out to the diner several times each month to see how Susan was faring.  There was something about the look between them that pulled Hallie into wanting to keep in touch with her.  She smiled as she glanced in the rear view mirror and noted the bag of gifts she had placed there before driving into work this morning.  She prayed that Susan would accept them for the children and herself. 

The parking lot was nearly empty of cars.  Hallie pulled up close to the door, reached over her seat, and pulled out the shopping bag that was lying within easy reach.  She smiled as she thought of the array of toys she had gotten for Susan’s boy and girl.  It had been fun walking through the toy store, testing out all the new toys on display and watching the look of wonderment on the faces of the children holding tightly to their parent’s hands.  She pondered for the thousandth time what it must have been like to grow up with loving parents instead of caretakers who saw only to the physical needs of a child and not the emotional needs. 

Shaking her head, Hallie climbed out of the car and entered the diner.  There were only a handful of customers huddled into the small booths.  She saw a young couple so much in love they couldn’t drop hands long enough to eat the food that sat before them.  There was an old man and woman, sipping soup and blowing on the cups of hot coffee while they sat silently enjoying each other’s company.  Finally there was a disheveled man in the back corner booth, hunched over a cup of coffee, holding it with both hands as if someone might come along and take it from him.  He continually darted his gaze nervously around the diner as Hallie made her way to the counter. 

“Merry Christmas, Hallie.”  A spirited soft voice called out from the door to the kitchen.  “What brings you here on Christmas Eve?” 

“I was working late and realized I had not eaten today.  This is the only place I could recall that might be open.”  Hallie lied through her teeth. 

“I am glad you came in,”  Susan answered as she walked over to face Hallie.  Only the counter stood between them as Susan leaned against it and smiled at Hallie. 

“Why are you working tonight?  Shouldn’t you be home with the kids?”  Hallie asked as she turned her cup over for coffee. 

Susan lifted the pot and began pouring the steaming hot coffee into Hallie’s cup.  “Yes, I should be home with the kids.  Thank goodness they are both too young to know it is Christmas.  I needed the money and Jake needed the help.  No one else was willing to work tonight.” 

“Oh Susan, I am so sorry…”  Hallie began saying but was stopped by Susan. 

“Hallie, it’s ok.  I’ll try to get them something next Christmas when they really understand what The Season is about.  Right now, I’ll give them all the love I can when I go home to them.  We’ll be fine this year.” 

Hallie slid her hand down to the package she had placed at her feet when she sat down.  “Susan, I would like to….” 

“DON’T ANYBODY MOVE.”   The young man from the back booth shouted as he ran toward the entry.  He waved a gun over his head as he motioned toward Susan.  “Get over here and lock this door.” 

Hallie reached out to grab Susan’s arm to keep her from going toward the crazed man with the gun.  He saw what was happening and shot forward bringing the barrel of his pistol crashing down on top of Hallie’s arm.   She jerked it back as pain shot up her arm.  Wiggling her fingers she knew it luckily had  not been broken.

“I said lock the door, not talk.”  He leaned toward Hallie as she cradled her rapidly-swelling arm. 

Susan ran around the counter before he could do more harm and quickly locked the door.  He stepped away from Hallie and waved the gun in Susan’s direction.   

“Get back over here.” 

Susan rushed to stand next to Hallie.  She reached out and put a soothing hand on Hallie’s shoulder as she noted the large goose egg swelling on Hallie’s forearm where the gun had landed. 

“I’m ok.  Don’t worry.  Just keep your cool.”  Hallie whispered softly as the young man waved the pistol toward the other four customers still sitting speechless and frightened in their booths. 

“Come on; get your asses over here.” 

Quickly they rose and rushed to stand behind Hallie and Susan.  The young girl began crying softly with fear. 

“OK.  Everyone, follow her to the kitchen.”  He indicated toward Susan as he began moving toward them.  “Don’t do anything stupid and no one else will get hurt.” 

Susan helped Hallie off the stool before turning and leading the little group into the kitchen. 

Jake looked up as they all walked in.  His expression conveyed his confusion until he saw the pistol in the young man’s hand. 

“What the hell is going on here?”  Jake demanded as he picked up the large cutting knife he had been using. 

“Drop it old man, or I’ll drop you where you stand.”  The man raised his gun and pointed it shakily at Jake. 

Jake took another step forward with the knife still in his hand.  A shot rang out.  Jake collapsed onto the floor with blood pouring from a single shot above his heart. 

The young woman began screaming; her boyfriend pulled her into his arms and smothered her cries against his chest.  The old couple held tightly to each other.  Hallie couldn’t believe what she had just seen.  Susan backed up until she too was part of the crowd. 

“All I wanted was the money.  I never meant to shoot him.”  The man said in a flat monotone voice. 

“Let me handle this,” Hallie said quickly to Susan as she felt her begin to move forward again. 

“Son, put the gun down.”  Hallie said quietly as she signaled to the others to stand behind her. 

He looked up at Hallie with a lost look on his face.   He held the pistol up and pointed it directly at Hallie.   

“I didn’t mean to shoot him.  All I wanted was the money.  Just the money.” 

“Give me the gun…” Hallie said softly as she held out her hand. 

“I can’t.  They’ll kill me for sure this time.”  He mumbled nervously under his voice as sweat began to pop out on his face. 

“What is your name?”  Hallie asked gently as she began the arduous process of negotiating with the man. 

“Ruben.”  He replied as he reached up and wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm. 

“Ruben.”  Hallie repeated softly.  “Ruben…put the gun down and let me help you.” 

He looked over at her and raised the gun again. 

Hallie lifted her hands up in a surrendering manner.  “Ruben?  Let the waitress check on Jake.  We need to stop the bleeding.  You don’t want him to die, do you?” 

Ruben stepped back as he motioned for Susan to move forward toward the fallen cook. 

Susan rushed toward Jake where she dropped to her knees.  She rolled Jake over and heard his moan of pain.   

“He’s alive.”  She called out as she tore open his tee shirt.  She could see the entry wound and watched as the blood continued to flow out in a steady stream.  

“Hand me those clean dish towels.”  Susan demanded of the group as she pressed her hand against the wound to slow the bleeding. 

Jake’s breathing was ragged but deep.  He twisted away from the pain of Susan pressing on his chest.   

“Lie still, Jake.”  Susan instructed as she reached up and took the towels that the old man handed her.  He scurried quickly back to his wife, safely behind Hallie. 

Susan folded the towels and pressed them tightly against the hole in Jake’s chest.  

“He needs help.”  Susan pleaded as she looked up into the gunman’s face. 

“No…they’ll try to kill me.”  The gunman stated as he stepped backward away from Jake. 

“Ruben.  He’ll die if we don’t get him some help.  Do you want his death on your hands?”  Hallie asked softly. 

“No… but what choice do I have?  I don’t want to die either.” 

“Hurry, Hallie, he is still bleeding.”  Susan said as she quickly pressed a second towel over the wound.  She felt the pulse in his neck.  It was still strong and bounding.  She needed to get the bleeding to stop or he was going to get worse. 

“Ruben…let them go and keep me.  I’ll stay with you until we figure out what to do.” 

“Hell no.  I can’t do that.  They’ll rush me with just you here.” 

Susan looked up at Hallie, realized Ruben could panic again, and no one would be around to help Hallie if she got shot.  Without thinking of herself, she said.  “I’ll stay, too.  Let the others go.”   

“No… think of your children.”  Hallie said just as Ruben replied. 

“It’s a deal.”  He motioned to the other four hostages.  “Get him out of here.  Tell the police to stay away or I’ll shoot these two.” 

The old and young man reached down, grabbed hold of Jake’s arms, and quickly pulled him toward the back door.  Ruben followed closely, grabbing Susan by the arm while Hallie remained where she was.  The other two women rushed in front of the men, opening the door to let them out.  As soon as all five of the original hostages were out of the door, Ruben shoved Susan toward it. 

“Lock it, too.” He demanded. 

Susan locked the door before turning and walking back toward Hallie. 

Ruben turned and pointed the gun in their direction.  They listened to the sounds of a siren drawing nearer.  More sirens could be heard coming in their direction. 

“I have to get out of here.”  Ruben said hysterically.  “I won’t be caged again and left to die.”   

He turned toward the back door, walked over to it and kicked it open.  Before darting out of the door he twisted back toward the two women standing next to each other and as if in slow motion, he lifted the gun in their direction.  

Just as he pulled the trigger, Hallie grabbed Susan and fell with her to the floor.  She rolled on top of her, covering Susan’s body with her own much larger one.  The shooting stopped and all they heard was the pounding of feet in the wet alley as Ruben raced away. 

As Hallie rolled to her side she heard shouting in the alley. 

“Police!  Stop or I’ll shoot.”  A voice rang out.  Twice it was repeated before a series of shots rang out. 

Susan reached out, grabbed Hallie, and pulled herself close to Hallie. 

“I thought he had shot you.  You stupid woman…putting yourself in danger for us.”  Tears poured from her eyes as she ran her hands over Hallie’s back, realizing she had not been shot after all. 

Hallie sat up with Susan in her lap.  She held her tightly as Susan continued to cry.   

“Are you ok?”  Hallie finally asked. 

“I was so afraid I was going to lose you, too.”  Susan leaned back and looked into Hallie’s face. 

“Not when I have just found you.”  Hallie said as she wrapped her arms around Susan and held her tightly against her chest. 

Finally, Hallie drew back and lightly pushed against Susan.  “Come on.  We need to find out what is going on.” 

They stood and walked toward the open door.  Their hands were clasped firmly together. 

It didn’t take long to realize that Ruben had been shot and killed while trying to escape the police that had arrived on the scene.  The detective sat with Hallie and Susan at a table and jotted down the events that had occurred.  It was after midnight before they were allowed to leave. 

Hallie stood waiting for Susan to turn off the lights.  As they began to walk out the door, Hallie stopped and walked back to where she had been sitting before the incident took place.  She picked up the forgotten package and returned to Susan. 

“Merry Christmas Susan.”  Hallie said as she held out the bag.  “These are for you and the children.” 

“Hallie….” Susan became choked up and was unable to continue. 

“Shuuu…please take them.”  Hallie said as she continued holding the bag out. 

“Only if you come over for breakfast to watch the children open the gifts.”  Susan said as she looked into Hallie’s face.  Hallie could see the attraction in Susan’s gaze, as she stood dumbfounded thinking that maybe; just maybe; this woman was attracted to her.   

“I would love to.” 

“Then maybe we should just go home together now since it is nearly morning and the babies will be up early.” 

Hallie reached out and tucked Susan’s arm in hers as she lead them to her car.  As Hallie watched Susan settle into the seat, she thought to herself.  Maybe Christmas really is The Season of Love.  Her heart felt lighter than it had in years and the vast loneliness that had followed her most of her life did not rear its ugly head as she climbed into the car to begin her journey into the discovery of a new love and life, one filled with happiness, family and everlasting love.

 

 

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