"You know how to use that?" Teagan's partner eyed the police baton. "I'm Regan. Buy the way. Regan Murphy."

	"Teagan Heyes. And aye, I do know how to use it. I'm E1 in krav maga." Teagan assured, gripping the baton.

	The younger woman assessed her silently without stopping. "Good. You'll need it. The rats have exceptional hearing and we cannot afford to broadcast our location by using this..." And she motioned to her sidearm. "So Tasers and hand to hand if we encounter resistance." She continued in a clip tone. "We find the civilians, call in our location and wait for the heavy team to extract them. Then we move on."

	Teagan nodded silently, impressed by the younger woman's tactical decisions. Belatedly she noticed the words emblazoned on the back of her vest - PART. [i]I see.[/i]

	The two women worked well together. Finding hiding civilians, calling in their location and waiting for the heavy armored teams to extract them. Teagan took her cues from the PART operative. Although she was younger, she was clearly more experienced than her in such situations. Teagan couldn't help but feel impressed.

	They were passing by an electronics shop when Teagan more felt, then actually heard a soft sobbing. During her years as a wilderness firefighter she'd learned to distinguish human and animal sounds amidst the roar of the fire. She quickly tapped her partner on the shoulder. Pointed at her ear and then towards the store. The other woman nodded and the two of them carefully made their way in the direction of the sobs. They entered the store and inside found a terrified looking woman, clutching a tiny bundle to her chest.

	Regan approached the woman quietly and squatted down. "It's okay." She whispered. "We're here to help. Are you okay?" She looked at the bundle. "The baby?"

	Hearing Regan's husky voice full with warm assurance and sympathy, something tugged at Teagan's heart.

	"I'm sorry." The woman whispered back in answer. "I know we need to be quiet." She looked around alarmed.

	"It's all right." Regan reassured her. She got up and pulled Teagan to the side. "We can't risk waiting here for extraction. The rats probably heard them." She whispered urgently. "We'll radio in for assistance but we need to pull them out ourselves." She handed Teagan her radio. "Call it in. I'll get them ready before the rats sniff us out."

	Teagan nodded, taking the radio. Seconds after she radioed in their situation a sense of dread blanketed her. She knew the feeling all too well. She would get it when the fire would start circling her. [i]Shait![/i]

	"Regan!" She whispered.

	The younger woman didn't need to turn and look at Teagan. She'd heard the warning in her tone. [i]Fuck, shit, balls![/i] She swore in her mind. They were about to get swarmed.

	Teagan gripped the baton harder, her knuckles going white with the strain. Regan also readied. There was a shift in the air and Teagan threw herself at Regan pushing them both a few feet to the side as a nasty looking swarm rat dropped into the store from a vent shaft in the ceiling.

	Both women were on their feet in a flash, but Teagan was already charging the rat. She slammed him heavily into the wall and rendered him unconscious with a swift strike to the head with the baton.

	Regan was grabbing for the woman and the kid. "We gotta run!" She had no time to be impressed with Teagan's quick reflexes and the short work she'd made of the rat. "Other's will be close by." Just as she was saying this a gun shot rang out in the distance. Regan winced. [i]I hope you have sufficient back up, buddy.[/i] She thought of the person who'd fired the gun. [i]You'll need it.[/i] "This is our chance!" She shot to Teagan. "Take her. I'll lead." She urged, pulling her sidearm out.

	Teagan nodded. She gripped the young mother reassuringly. "We'll get ye out of here."

	"I can run." The young woman assured fiercely, a new fire burning in her eyes.

	Teagan couldn't help but smirk. [i]Mothers.[/i] She thought.

	"Let's go!" Regan hissed and they all sprinted for the perimeter line.

	A sewer rat launched itself at the young woman from an alleyway and was quickly shot down by Regan. Teagan spotted another one closing in on them from behind. She turned, fired her Taser and continued sprinting after Regan and their charges. She could hear the panting breaths of several swarm rats in pursuit now.

	"There they are." Someone shouted. "Quickly, get behind us." A dozen heavily armored police officers with shields were advancing towards them. Teagan and Regan scooped the woman from either side and half carried her behind the line of police shields. Once behind, the officers opened fire.

	Panting heavily Regan locked eyes with Teagan above the young mother's head. "You're not half bad Miss Heyes." She said with a grin.

	Teagan laughed.

	"What do you say we get you ladies out of here?" One of the shielded officers asked.

	They were escorted behind the perimeter where the Chief was still barking orders. He stopped, noticing Teagan and Regan’s return. He looked at Regan first, she nodded. Then his eyes fell on Teagan. There was a slight nod and he continued about his business.

	An amused smile stretched Regan’s lips. She slapped Teagan on the shoulder. "A nod from the Chief in these circumstances is equal to 'Job well done!'" Her smile quickly dissolved when the older woman hissed in pain and withdrew from her hand. "Shit, you're hurt!" She half accused, concern burning in her stormy grey eyes.

	[i]Beautiful![/i] Teagan thought shaking her head and gritting her teeth. "No. I got this during the Fitch building incident." Her shoulder was numb with pain.

	Regan assessed her with troubled eyes. "Old or new, we need to check it out. You're done for tonight." She stated with authority.

	Teagan didn't object as the younger woman led her to one of the ambulances parked close by.