"So what's the plan?" Jim questions and I take a few minutes to respond as I finish typing out Rosiks appearance with a grimace before sending it off to base, hoping that this does some good and stops any further code 104 attempts.

"Plan?" I mumble before standing and stretching, I got little sleep again after my intense day yesterday and the minutes seem to drag on, eight hours feels like an eternity.

Standing also Jim grabs the cruiser keys and leading the way for our hourly patrol we begin our way out to the car parks.

Our shoes are crisp against the tiles and as I glance over at Jim I notice that he looks just as tired as I do but I choose not to comment on it.

My hair is in a ponytail tighter than usual and I relish in the pain it causes with each movement, the nagging pain keeping me sharp and aware.

"You've been waiting for this moment Katherine. I can't see you choosing the smart option and hiding away, so how are we catching the monster?"
Jim questions and my eyebrows scrunch together and I feel conflicted as my heart both soars with gratitude and plummets with fear.

"Jim.. This doesn't concern you."
I try to explain as softly as possible but Jim holds his weathered hand up, cutting me short as we both climb into our car seats.

I of course take the passenger while Jim gets comfortable in the drivers side.

"The only reason why you told me about this was because he isn't just targeting you Katherine. This involves our district and I'll be damned if I let him touch a single person in it...
Which includes you." Jim explains passionately and I'm secretly too relieved to argue further.

I don't want to be alone I realise as the car pulls away from the curb.

I've always loved and respected Jim as a person and officer however I've never appreciated the sometimes stifling aspect of being his partner.

But now I see why he has always had such a tight grip on me, he has been focusing entirely on me and my development as an officer.
Jim has only wanted the best for me but I was too headstrong and cocky to see it, I owe Jim everything.

"Thanks Jim.." I mutter softly and Jim sends me a small smile before focusing back on the road.

The silence is comfortable but my mind is buzzing as my hectic weekend continues to pound against my skull. Wanting to ease the pressure I open my mouth and for the first time ever I confess a secret I've kept for years.

Unknown as to why the sudden urge has hit but desperate for some sense of comfort.

"I saw my Father yesterday.." I begin and Jim's eyes light up, for such a family-oriented man this is incredible news.

"He beat my Mother and I for years before going to Prison. My Mother and him never agreed on anything while I never lived up to my Fathers expectations... My Father wanted me to be as cold, cruel and violent as him, every time he beat me he would call it our 'bonding' sessions.
My Mother could never protect me and I refused to protect myself."

I ramble and from the corner of my eye I see Jim pale at my news.
I feel bad for drowning the warm atmosphere in the car but once the words start I can't contain them.

"The reason why I'm telling you this is because when I was with my Father I sensed something different about him... My Father for the first time in years wasn't looking at me like I was pathetic or disgusting. My Father actually looked proud... Even as I threatened to put him back in jail..."

"Katherine I-" Jim tries to interject but now it's my hand that cuts him off as it raises.
My bad wrist causing my hand to twitch unnaturally every few seconds.

"It was the same look my kidnapper gave me when I killed that man in Russia. That sick look of praise and adoration and the scariest part is that there is never any shock. They both expected me to lash out, they know what I'm capable of and that scares me because I don't even know what I'm capable of..."

My throat begins to clog up and I swear softly under my breath as I use my sleeve to wipe under my nose.

"I don't want to hurt people Jim...
I'm sick of hurting people." I confide and my eyes risk a glance into Jims and I find them crinkled under his wrinkles as he ponders hard over my words.

"You are a good person Katherine..." Jim states firmly and with such unshakable resolve that it almost makes me feel better.
Almost.

"You shouldn't trust me Jim. I'm a ticking time bomb."I confess finally and my eyes clench shut.
Expecting to hear the words of dismissal from Jim finally.

Everyone who doubted me was right, I'll never be a good cop.
I'm too unstable.

The car remains silent for quite some time and after a few minutes I unglue my eyes from being tightly shut but instead of glancing at my partner I focus back on the roads as cars weave through the lanes neatly.
We aren't left in silence for long.

"I'm retiring this year Katherine."

"What?! Why?" I exclaim and the shock awakens my senses as I turn and face my partner.

"I'm old." Jim jokes and I roll my eyes my arms now wrapped tightly around my body.

Sadness starts to wash over me, nobody else is willing to be my partner, only Jim was willing to take up the challenge and I realise it's only Jim I want.

"And you're ready." Jim continues and I arch my eyebrow.

"Ready for what?" I question as the revving engine of a car starts to grow louder and louder around us.

"Ready to take my place and to become head of the district. I've already cleared you with base and they're impressed. You'll be given your choice of graduate partners next year to choose from and train." My eyes widen and a gasp escapes my lips at the future promotion.

It is unheard of for someone to rise this quickly in the ranks, I'd be one of the youngest heads in Australia.

But doubt quickly consumes my excitement and I sigh.

"Jim did you not hear anything about what I just said? I'm not a good cop-"

"You're a great one." Jim concludes and I sigh again as my head swims.
It seems surreal to even be considering this but my heart swells none the less.

Abruptly cutting off our moment a car swerves into our lane, missing our vehicle by centimetres as its engine roars.

Jim and I both jump and have no choice but to press the breaks to provide some space but the car is already breaking through four lanes and disappearing down a side street in seconds.

"If attention is what they wanted then attention is what their getting."
Jim states impressively and switches on his sirens before jerking the wheel to pursue the show off.

I however remain quiet, usually rare little action shots excite me, especially in this usually quiet town but the car leaves me unsettled.

"Jim, it looks just like the car that attempted the 104 at the school. Missing plates, faded black paint and an Audi." I state carefully as I cling onto my seatbelt as Jim picks up speed, the car ahead weaving through the small streets.

"Call in the description, we'll let base find the connection." Jim huffs out and his eyes glare at the car ahead, steadily catching up.

Picking up the radio I rush through the description before hanging up again, base now monitoring our live location and I focus back on the pursuit.

"Where is he headed?" I question as I make a mental check to ensure I have all my tools of trade strapped to my uniform.

Gun, taser, cuffs, pepper-spray, baton..
Everything I need but strive to never use.

"Looks to me like he's heading to the Pyla Falls." Jim answers and just as predicted the car swerves down the dirt road and finally parks next to the wooden fence.

The fence barricades anyone from toppling over the steep rocky drop that creates the sheltered pool of deep, murky water below, consistently stirred by the enormous waterfall hidden just beyond the cliff wall.

This place is always bustling with tourists during our peak season but with the wind still having a bite to it the usually busy viewpoint is abandoned.

"You go Katherine." Jim states as we pull up closely behind the car and I glance at Jim in shock.

"Are you sure?" I question but I can't hide the eager tones beneath my question.

"I have nothing more to teach you. It's time I start stepping back from the action and let you put your theory into practise." I nod enthusiastically before taking off my seatbelt and wandering confidently out of the car, my badge gleaming in the sunlight as I leave the cruiser behind me.

Jim keeps the engine running just in case, eyes taking in every detail with a small smile on his face.

I pull out my notebook as I come up the side of the vehicle and I keep my expression stern as I knock on the tinted window with my knuckles.

My reflection stares back at me and even through the cold expression I can still see the nervousness leaking out through my blue eyes so I'm quick to focus them back onto my notebook, my pen tight in my hand.

The sound of the window slowly being lowered captures my attention and my curls bounce in my tight ponytail as my head raises slightly but I still keep my eyes trained down for now.

Only allowing myself to peek at the button down shirt to confirm the gender I start scribbling down details and scrunch up my eyebrows.

"Sir are you aware as to why we pulled you over and the severity of the situation?" I question firmly and I barely recognise my voice, it's the same voice I used when I lashed out at Oliver and at my Father but instead of using it to fuel my confidence I find that it only makes me feel worse.

I don't enjoy being this cold.

"I don't know Officer, what is the severity of the situation?" I feel the coldness spread from my voice to my entire body as the thick accent wafts over my form, causing me to grow rigid and firm.

I cease breathing as my now watery eyes raise up and settle on the horrid mans form as he peers up at me with a devilish grin.

"My, my... What a beautiful coincidence." Rosik murmurs and my wrist starts to spasm and I drop the notebook to the ground.

Panicked breaths start to fill my lungs and I struggle to blink away my tears.

Having him this close was something I was unprepared for.
It was one thing to deal with him from across a car park but now, with only a door between us I feel my anxiety reach its peak.

"I didn't think it was possible for you to grow even more beautiful but I was wrong." Rosik drawls out and even attempts to reach out his large hand to grasp my own but I stumble backwards two steps and swipe at him with my pen.

My breathing quickly turning into panicked gasps.

"Still as feisty as ever, I must say you are rocking that uniform Kitty, such a turn on." At the mention of my uniform the tears dry from my eyes and the air stops stabbing my lungs as I ground myself.

This isn't some costume I remind myself and I'm not the same girl he kidnapped.

"Y-You're under arrest for the involvement in kidnapping, human trafficking, motor vehicle theft, murder, sexual assault and undoubtedly many more crimes which will be discussed further. You have the right to remain silent and any words said, can and will be used against you in court during the transportation and holding within our station. Are we clear?"

I rush through my lungs and Rosik remains suspiciously silent as he takes in my words, even closing his eyes midway and sighing causing my blood to boil.

I reach down to my belt with shaking hands and unhooking my cuffs and pepper-spray I look at him pointedly while keeping my distance.

"Crystal clear." Rosik responds and he refuses to glance down at the items in my hands. Instead his gaze continually dips from my face and then down my body, slowly and hungrily causing me to force back shudders.

My hands grow sweaty over my items and my throat becomes dry.

"I need you to step out of the vehicle."
I demand croakily and I hear Jim open his car door in confusion as he spies my pepper-spray, sensing danger.
I'd almost forgotten that he was there.

"Officer Hayes, please stay in the vehicle." I call out in an attempt to protect him, my eyes refusing to flick away from the devil in front of me and Rosiks grin only stretches further.

His dark brown eyes with flecks of hazel swirl happily as he relishes my company and it leaves me on edge.
This is all far too easy.

"See we have a problem Kitty."
Rosik finally states and I raise an eyebrow, lifting the pepper-spray until it's directly in line with his eyes.

"It's Officer East to you and I disagree. Now remove yourself from the vehicle, I won't ask again." I firmly respond, glad that the shakiness in my voice has evaporated as my finger grows tighter over the trigger.

Now my thoughts are swimming with ways to get the cuffs on him without actually having to touch him.

"The problem is that you have no way of getting me to the station, as much as I'd love a stroll with you I doubt if that's following protocol."

Rosik coyly explains and at this my face drops in confusion as the screeching of tyres can be heard and turning my head a scream bursts from my lips as the car Rosik was in the day before screams into the street backwards and reverses straight into the cruiser.

It only took one hard collision for the wooden gates to snap under the pressure.

Dropping the pepper-spray I attempt to run forward but Rosiks hot touch clamps down on my arm and holds me firmly against the door of his car.

I instantly hiss as his hot hand wraps around my cold flesh.

I scream out my partners name as my wide eyes capture his own terrified soft blue orbs as the cruiser slides over the edge.

Tugging on Rosiks tight grip he remains unfazed as he silently rubs his thumb in a circular movement over my revealed flesh as my sleeve rides up through the struggle.

I continue crying out as the sounds of the cruiser slamming against the relentless cliff cuts into my soul.

It seems like minutes have passed before the final sickening splash can be heard, the roar of the waves as it consumes the metal shell and the partner I loved.

Tears roll down my eyes and I sag against the ground, Rosik refusing to release me so my arm is held awkwardly above my head.

The car that murdered my partner accelerates and calmly drives back the way it came and if my glare could light a spark then that vehicle would be in flames right now.

Rosik isn't working alone but the realisation that now I am cuts into my already open wound and a sob bursts from my chest.

"Shhh it's okay Kitty.. He had to go, you know this." Rosik coo's and my stomach churns as I slide my feet back under me and propel myself back onto my unsteady feet.

Reaching into my holster with my free hand I shove my gun harshly against Rosiks forehead, panting loudly and Rosik chuckles, somehow unfazed by my fast movements.

"You can't kill me." Rosik gloats and I switch off the safety and my eyes flash.

"Where is she?" I grit out and my face is set in a snarl as my cheeks remain reddened by tears.

"She's right here.." Rosik quickly responds and I'm glad to see his eyes scan my face with slight worry now, obviously finding something to fear behind my eyes as my ponytail begins falling out.

I scoff out loud, tears falling down my cheeks again and press the gun even tighter against Rosiks head.

"I'm not joking." I spit out and Rosik manages to pale as my finger strokes the trigger button while Rosiks touch still burns me.

"Katie.. I'm here." A muffled soft voice whispers and I gasp out loud at the soft feminine voice.
It hasn't changed.

After all these years I'd thought I'd forgotten what it sounded like but hearing it now brings memories flooding back in.

It's Her.

"D-Dana?!" I hiccup and I fight every fibre in my body to lean in and peer around Rosik.
He isn't getting away this time.
I won't allow it, I owe everyone that much.

"Dana sweetie, get out of the vehicle, you're safe." I call out and Rosiks face softens at my expression, marvelled by my tears.

"I-I can't Katie." Dana calls out her voice breaking and my eyebrows crunch together.

"What do you mean?" I mutter as I glance down to find the childlock is unlocked.

Why won't she leave the vehicle?

But that split second of distraction was all Rosik needed to snatch the weapon out of my hands and swirl it around to face me.

"Much better." Rosik gloats, colour back in his cheeks in a flushed manner, excitement oozing out of him as I slowly raise my hands in the air.

"You can't kill me." I state repeating his own words from earlier and Rosik shrugs.

"You're right but I can kill your cousin. She's served her purpose." Rosik teases and I nod, resigned to my fate that I knew was coming.
This was always how it was going to go.

As long as Rosik has Dana, he will always have me.

I may not be the same girl he kidnapped all those years ago but I am the same cousin, that will never change.

Family means everything to me and this time I can only hope that I can do what I should have done years ago....

Save my cousin and fix this mess once and for all.