System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Ethan felt a dull, constant ache running through his back. He opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh, white light. He was in a basic hospital bed, the sheets rough. He tried to move, but a slight metallic pressure reminded him of his situation: he was handcuffed to the headboard.

"Don't try to move too much," a familiar voice said. "They've put stitches all over your back. If you do, you'll tear them open, and you don't want to feel that pain without anesthetic."

Ethan turned his head with difficulty. Officer Sparks was sitting next to the bed. She was dressed in sexy, casual clothes—dark, tailored jeans and a simple but form-fitting top that highlighted the curves previously hidden by her bulky uniform. Her black hair was neatly tied back, giving her a professional, controlled look despite the civilian attire. Her taut, sexy body was now strikingly noticeable, a stark contrast to the sterile room. She looked exhausted, but serene.

"Well, it seems you won in the end," Ethan said, with a raspy sigh.

Sparks shook her head, her gray eyes filled with a seriousness that wasn't victory. "I didn't win. I actually wanted to let you go. But you were too badly hurt, Ethan. If we hadn't brought you here, you would be dead in half an hour. You needed a trauma team immediately."

"Where am I?" Ethan asked.

"At the Oakwood County Police Station. They brought you here for emergency medical attention, and now you are detained. You are in federal custody, and a prosecutor is already on the way." Sparks paused. "Jason surrendered too. But they took him straight to the county prison for processing. You were brought here to recover, but you'll most likely be sent to that same prison until your bail hearing, which will be in the next two or three days."

"And what do you plan to do?" Ethan asked.

"I will testify in your favor, of course," Sparks said. "I already gave my initial statement. I said you didn't kidnap me, you freed me. That your target was Congressman Vance, and the explosion was his attempt to eliminate both of us. I hope all this ends quickly; I can't allow a terrorist as lunatic as him to walk free."

"Listen, Ethan," Sparks continued, leaning closer. "You need to be smart. The judicial process will be tough. Don't say anything to anyone. What happened in the basement, your ability—keep all of that secret. You'll say you were in shock and don't remember the details of the fight. Trust the lawyer Davies sends. Davies is excellent. Everything he tells you, you do it."

Ethan nodded slowly. "I understand," Ethan said. "Good job, Officer. But I need one more favor. I need you to send a message to someone."

"Who?" Sparks asked.

"Find Lena Rossi. Cassandra knows who she is. Tell her to continue with the plans. That nothing stops," Ethan said.

Sparks frowned. "Plans? Ethan, you're in a hospital bed, handcuffed. You can't continue your plans."

"Yes, I can," Ethan said, with a weak smile. "Lena has control. The seed has already been planted. Now more than ever, the world must know what Vance and his people did here. It doesn't matter where I am. The work continues. Can you do that for me?"

"I will," Sparks said, sighing. "I will, but only because I believe in the cause. And for another reason."

The atmosphere in the small hospital room shifted from legal tension to something much more personal. Sparks stood up and walked to the door, checking the guards before making sure they were alone. She returned to the bed, her gaze fixed on Ethan.

"I can't pretend anymore that this is just a matter of justice and duty," Sparks said, her voice barely a murmur, but charged with emotion. "Since I met you, my life turned upside down. You are a criminal, a dangerous man, and yet... you are the most honest and strongest man I have ever known."

Ethan looked at her, surprise crossing his face. "Sparks..."

"I know you have other women," she said, cutting him off. "I saw Sarah, I saw Cassandra, I understand the dynamic. And I stopped to think: a career police officer, risking her life and reputation, for a man who doesn't even look at her exclusively. But I don't care. I fell in love with you, Ethan. I fell in love with the man who dismantles corrupt systems and who treated me with more respect than my own colleagues."

She placed a hand gently on Ethan's arm, just away from the handcuffs. "I don't expect to be your only one. I just want a piece of your heart. If you don't push me away now, I will be here for you. I will do whatever it takes to get you out of here. Are you going to push me away, Ethan?"

Ethan felt a deep pang that had nothing to do with his wounds. This woman was not only risking her life but her entire identity and career for him. "I would never push you away, Officer," Ethan said, his voice regaining some strength. "You are the bravest woman I have ever known."

"Then I'm yours," Sparks said, a small tear rolling down her cheek.

She leaned over the bed, ignoring Ethan's wounds and the handcuffs. Their kiss was long and deep.

The desperate intensity of the kiss was broken suddenly. The door to the small hospital room burst open. Two uniformed officers entered, followed by a sharply dressed man in an expensive suit. The man's eyes were cold and hard as he surveyed the scene—Ethan handcuffed to the bed, and Officer Sparks leaning over him.

The man stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding. "Officer Sparks, I need you to step aside and allow us to speak with the prisoner," the man said, his voice flat and authoritative. "Your work here is finished. Good job."

Sparks quickly pulled away from Ethan, her face instantly shifting from passion to defiance. "But, Superintendent, I am the key witness in this case. I need to give my full statement regarding Congressman Vance—"

"I am Superintendent Howard, Section Chief of Major Crimes for this region," the man interrupted, cutting her off like a knife. "And I said, your job is finished. The prisoner is now under federal custody and jurisdiction. Your initial statement has been logged. Now, please allow my team to begin the official interrogation."

"But I—" Sparks tried to refute, but the Superintendent simply motioned to the two uniformed officers.

They moved instantly, taking Sparks by the arms to escort her out. The situation looked dire for Ethan; the Superintendent's face was devoid of warmth or empathy.

Sparks panicked, fighting against the officers' hold. She was being forcibly removed from the room, her voice rising in a shout of desperation. "Everything will be fine! Don't worry! I'll get you out of this, I promise!"

The door slammed shut, leaving Ethan alone with the Superintendent and the two officers. The silence was heavy.

[Your new little girlfriend doesn't look like she's going to be able to get you out of this one, Champion,] the System chimed in, its tone entirely mocking.

Ethan grimaced, the pain in his back momentarily eclipsed by the heavy weight of his new reality.