On a Thursday morning, the rookies and TO's are all gathered up doing a training exercise outside.

Officer Jessica Russo is speaking to them. She's wearing a suicide bomb vest and holding a detonator.

"We're all gonna die. Right here. Right now. This bomb is packed with C4, ball bearings, screws, broken glass. When this thing goes off, this whole room is gonna turn into a blender. And guess what. If you don't die instantly, you're gonna suffer fatal, secondary infections because I soaked the shrapnel in my own filth. Now, you've all been taught to shoot on sight when you see a bomber, right? But you can't shoot me, because I'm holding a dead man's switch. I let it go, it detonates. So your only shot at survival is to talk me into giving up. But you only have ten words to do it." Officer Russo starts.

She turns to Jackson. "go." Russo instructs.

"U-Um, ma'am, you you don't want to do this." Jackson says.

"Boom. It's a slaughterhouse in here. " Russo says, releasing the plunger on the detonator mockup.

"Go." Russo says, turning to Lucy.

"Uh, my name is Lucy Chen, and -" Lucy starts.

"Boom. They're IDing you through dental records." Russo says, releasing the plunger once again.

Bradford lunges for her but Russo releases the plunger before he can.

"Boom. You just got buried in a shoe box." Russo responds, releasing the plunger again.

"Cupcake, go" Russo says.

Ana is taken back for a second, not sure how Russo - who Ana has never met before - knows that nickname. She decides not to dwell on it.

"Hi, um... I can't imagine what you're going through right now" Ana starts, softly, looking up at Russo.

"Ten more words, cupcake" Russo grins.

Ana tilts her head. "You put a lot of work into this didn't you?"

"Ten more words" Russo encourages.

"You must've gone to quite a length to find the C4 needed and covering the shrapnel in your own fluids... you want to do this" Ana says, softly.

"that was more than ten" Talia speaks up.

"ssh" Russo says, turning back to Ana.

"you know? I respect you for it" Ana says, softly, daring to take a step closer.

"Having that kind of dedication, to be planning your own death... it's brave" Ana continues, softly.

"and heartbreaking" Ana says, softly.

"you... you feel so strongly about ending your own life" Ana says, softly.

"and I'm sorry" Ana offers, softly, taking another step closer.

"I'm sorry that the world hurt you so much that you went to such lengths to end your life" Ana continues, softly.

"and I'm sorry that I could't help you" Ana frowns, softly.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't help you in the past, but I'm right here now" Ana says, softly.

"let me help you" Ana continues, softly. "I've been in a similar position, but I do know that pulling that plunger is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. Because no matter how much you want to do it, it's against human instinct to be killed."

"Please, let me help you, because not pulling that plunger is also going to be incredibly difficult. But if you do, if you put your hands up right now, then I'll be here to help you and to protect you from the cruelties of the world... please?" Ana begs, softly, her eyes widening in shock when Russo raises her hands.

"got a hostage negotiator in the works" Russo grins.

Ana turns back to the others and sees that they are shocked, jaws literally on the floor.

Ana bites her lip, giving them a sheepish smile and a shrug.

[Timeskip]

"damn girl" Lucy grins as they're getting gear for the day.

Ana smiles, sheepishly, shrugging. "I didn't know I could do that"

"I don't know, from what I've seen, you're pretty good at talking people down" Lucy shrugs.

Ana shrugs. "I don't know... I've just been in their shoes, so I talk to them like how I wished someone talked to me"

Ana shoulders the gear bags when the TO's come rushing down.

"What's going on?" Nolan asks.

"Prison transport crashed, loaded with convicts from the courthouse. Come on." Talia says.

"Get that gear, Boot. Let's go!" Bradford says.

Ana and Lucy run after them, Ana putting the gear bags in the back of the shop and getting into the shop just before Bradford backs out of the garage, turns on the sirens, and drives to where the bus crashed.

"7-Adam-19, almost on site." Ana says over the radio.

"Negative, we have at least seven fugitives at large in surrounding neighborhoods. Start a grid search, coordinate with 7-Adam-13, 18, and 26." Grey responds over the radio.

Ana and Lucy looks out the window and see a man in an orange jumpsuit running on the sidewalk.

"There!" Lucy calls.

"7-Adam-19, in pursuit of fugitive suspect, heading North on Maple." Ana says over the radio.

Bradford speeds the car to the man, but he starts firing at them as they get closer.

"Down!" Bradford yells, both Lucy and Ana obey, covering their head with their hands and leaning as far down as possible.

The man is running towards them now, continuing to fire. When he's close enough, Bradford opens the shop door and it hits the man.

"Get on your stomach! Get on your stomach! Let's go. Let's go. Hands behind your back." Bradford yells, cuffing the prisoner.

"Okay, okay." The prisoner sighs.

They drive back to the crash site.

"All right, listen up. This is what we know so far. So, we have seven fugitives at large -" Grey starts, doing a briefing at the crash sight.

"Six." Bradford corrects.

"Good work. Correction, we have six fugitives at large." Grey says.

"Five." Nolan corrects, arriving with another fugitive.

"At this rate, I'd say we'd be home for dinner, but I know better. A prisoner on foot can sustain a pace of four miles per hour. And the clock started ticking 20 minutes ago. So we have a hard perimeter set up a mile out. If it was set up in time, it's just a matter of going door-to-door and running these fugitives down. If a fugitive gets past our perimeter, this turns from a recovery operation to a manhunt. And that puts the entire city at risk. So Bishop, Wong, Mitchell, Pileggi, your shops will fall back and man the perimeter. Bradford, Lopez, Keegan, and Willis, you'll join the grid search inside the zone. Command will advise you on the identities of the guys you're chasing as soon as we get them, but for now, assume that they are all extremely dangerous. Let's go get 'em." Grey announces.

[Timeskip]

They're driving through the neighborhood when they see a man unloading groceries from his car.

"Sir, there's a shelter in place order in effect. We need you in your house." Bradford calls.

"Okay." The man says.

"Tim" Ana calls, softly, when they see a group of men walking down the street with guns.

All three cops get out of the car with their weapons drawn.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Get your hands where I can see them. Now!" Bradford says.

"No, stay right there." Ana calls when they start to move forward.

"It's okay. We got permits for the weapons, and our ammo is stored separately, so it's legal." One of the men says. (Lewis)

"I don't care if it's legal. No good's gonna come from you guys running around here with assault rifles." Bradford replies.

"We heard prisoners were on the loose. We got a right to protect our neighborhood." Lewis argues.

"Yeah, that's a job for law enforcement, not a ragtag militia." Lucy responds.

A man (Darrell) emerges from a side yard with an ordinary middle aged Hispanic man (Hector) being dragged along.

"Got one! Got a fugitive!" Darrell boasts.

"Hey, get off me, man. I didn't do anything. Officers, please." Hector begs.

"Let him go. That's not who we're looking for." Ana calls, softly.

"I kept telling him that!" Hector says, annoyed.

"You sure? He looks guilty as hell to me. At least check his papers." Darrell says.

"Let him go. Right now." Lucy says.

"are you okay?" Ana asks, softly.

"No, you should be arresting them." Hector responds.

"Hey, screw that. The law says we're allowed to defend our neighborhood "when in grave danger."" Lewis calls.

"I was trimming a hedge!" Hector exclaims.

"All right, look, that's enough. Get back." Bradford calls.

"Look, as bigoted as they are, they thought they were making a citizen's arrest, so they haven't broken the law." Bradford explains.

"But their names will be in our report, so if you'd like to sue them for emotional damages, you can." Ana offers, softly.

"Whoa, hey, now - How about we just all, uh, go back and secure our home fronts. No hard feelings." Lewis decides and Hector reluctantly nods.

"Fine. If I find out that you're back out here again, I'll have you arrested for violating California Penal Codes 372 and 647b. You got that?" Bradford orders.

The men walk away, dejectedly.

"647b is the code for prostitution." Lucy turns to Bradford.

"They don't know that." Bradford answers, making Ana smile.

[Timeskip | Briefing]

"So, our good news first. Three more fugitives were apprehended, leaving just two at large. But those two are gonna be hell to catch. Which is why command asked Jessica Russo to assist us. Jessica?" Grey says, signaling to Russo.

"Yeah, so at this point, we're gonna have to assume that these guys have gotten past the perimeter, which means that we're gonna have to get inside their heads to figure out where they're gonna go." Russo explains.

"Predictive analytics." Bradford nods.

"You sound skeptical." Russo replies.

"No, ma'am. I just found the best way to catch a criminal is to hit the streets." Bradford answers.

"Well, that's because you have no experience doing it any other way." Russo responds.

"Marcos Gibson. Only 24 years old, but he's been a member of the 54th Street gang for over a decade. He was recently sentenced to 12 years in Victorville for aggravated assault and attempted murder." Russo says, pointing to a mugshot on the TV.

"The 5-4 will do everything they can to help him get away." Grey says.

"Including spiriting him out of the state." Talia nods.

"I've got a contact inside the five-four that might be able to give us some insight." Bradford offers.

"Go talk to him." Grey says.

"Okay, good. Our next fugitive is Caleb Jost. He is, in my opinion, the more dangerous of the two. He is 44 years old, a former investment banker. Sentenced five years for securities fraud and another eight for biting off the nose of his Deputy AG during his arrest. He is testament to the fact that psychopaths can carry a briefcase as easily as a grab bag." Russo explains.

"The FBI believes Caleb hid significant resources before he was arrested." Grey adds.

"Which he's gonna need to avoid going back to prison." Russo finishes.

"So we have to dig into the FBI leads and figure out the location of that money before he gets there." Nolan realizes.

"That's exactly right. Are you up for the challenge, Officer Nolan?" Russo asks.

"Yes, ma'am." Nolan nods.

[Timeskip]

"What's predictive analytics?" Ana asks, softly, as they walk down the hallway to meet Tim's informant.

"Using data from the past to predict the future. Feds love that kind of stuff. They'd rather sit in front of a computer than hit the streets and scuff their loafers." Bradford responds.

"Still, if it helps solve a crime or find a fugitive, isn't it worth using?" Lucy asks.

"Whose side are you on?" Bradford raises an eyebrow.

"I didn't know there were sides. But yours, definitely yours." Lucy responds.

They meet up with an African American in the lobby.

"Deacon, thanks for coming in." Bradford says, shaking his hand.

"No problem. I figured I'd be hearing from you today." Deacon replies.

"hi" Ana says, softly.

"Hi. Deacon Joe." Deacon says, shaking her hand as well.

"Lucy Chen" Lucy says.

"Lovely to meet Bradford's next victims. I remember when your T.O. was the one wearing the long sleeves" Deacon responds, shaking Lucy's hand.

"Oh, you got pictures?" Lucy asks.

"I like her." Deacon smiles.

"I'm thrilled. Deacon was my first arrest. Also one of the few to be rehabilitated in maximum security prison." Bradford explains.

Ana smiles, happy to hear that there are happy stories in the penal system.

"Man, I swear to God, every time I see you, it's like a time machine. I mean, since we met, I did six years in Chino, got clean, left the life, started up a family. Only thing that changed about you is the lines on your face." Deacon says, shaking his head.

"What lines? If you were expecting to hear from me, then you know why you're here. Marcos Gibson. Look, I need to get to him before he hooks up with the 5-4." Bradford responds.

"Yeah, Marcos was one of my kids for a while. I lost him to the 5-4. But they're the last place he's gonna go right now." Deacon nods.

"Why?" Ana asks, softly.

"He was knocking boots with Keon's woman. Right before the trial." Deacon answers.

"Who's - Who's Keon?" Lucy asks.

"Leader of the 5-4. This kid must have a death wish." Bradford shakes his head.

"Yeah, if Keon gets ahold of Marcos before you guys do, he'll kill him." Deacon says.

[Timeskip]

Ana is getting coffee for Lucy and Tim while Tim talks to Angela and Lucy talks to Jackson.

"Hey. What's the plan to find Marcos?" Ana asks, softly, going over to Bradford and handing him a coffee. Lucy comes over as well and accepts the coffee Ana gives her.

"Hit the streets, sweat some more of his people." Tim answers.

"I'll see you later." Tim says to Angela.

"Hey, Bradford. You've also gotten dumber. Does that count?" Angela says as she walks away.

"What was that about?" Ana asks, softly and curiously.

"Inside joke" Tim brushes off.

"Hot damn." Tim says when he looks at his phone.

"What is it?" Lucy ask.

"Text from Deacon. He's got Marcos." Tim answers.

[Timeskip]

"Control, show us on site at 1115 Amador Street." Ana says, softly, over the radio as they pull up at Deacon's house.

"Damn it. 5-4 must've heard Marcos is at Deacon's house." Tim says as they pull up. At least twenty armed men are gathered outside Deacon's home.

"What do we do?" Lucy asks.

"Keep your cool and get ready for trouble." Tim says before they get out of the car.

"Hello, Officer. Lovely evening." One of the men says, coming up to them

"Sure is. What are you guys doing out here?" Tim asks.

"Oh, you know, just exercising our constitutional right to assemble." The man replies.

"God bless America." Tim says.

"Mm-hmm." The man hums.

"could you all assemble somewhere else?" Ana asks, softly.

"is that an order, little one?" The man says, taking a step closer to Ana.

Tim's protective mode is activated and he steps between the man and Ana.

"Consider it a little friendly advice." Tim replies

"Well, we appreciate you and your pet looking out for us, Officer, but we ain't going nowhere." The man says, still eying Ana.

"Then maybe I'll see you later." Tim says.

"Count on it." The man replies.

He moves away and the three walk up to Deacon's door step.

"Control, patch me through to 7-L-20." Tim says over the radio, ushering Ana in front of him just in case one of them gets frisky behind them.

"7-Adam-19, report." Grey responds over the radio.

"Yeah, we got a bit of a situation here, Sergeant. Approximately 15 gang members are gearing up to take out our fugitive, Marcos Gibson. Me and the girls made it through their lines, but the 5-4's gonna come after this guy soon." Bradford replies over the radio.

"I just sent all available units to Nolan's hostage situation over in Culver City. But I will reorient some back to you." Grey says over the radio.

"Sir, this is a family neighborhood. If bullets start flying, a lot of kids are gonna get hurt." Tim answers over the radio.

"What are you saying, Bradford?" Grey asks over the radio.

"Have the units stage away from our location until overwhelming force arrives. Anything less than that's gonna come with a body count. We'll do our best with what we got until then." Tim responds over the radio.

"What are the odds they'll change their minds and leave?" Lucy asks Ana, but at that moment more cars pull up and more men gather around.

"Oh, come on." Lucy groans.

Tim knocks on the door and Deacon answers it.

"What are we gonna do?" Deacon asks.

"Let's start with you letting us in." Tim replies

Marcos is in the living room meanwhile Ana goes to the back of the house and looks out the window, seeing more men out back.

"First time I've ever been happy to see cops." Marcos responds.

"Hook him up, Boot." Tim orders.

"What? Whoa, hang on. No, you - I gotta keep my hands free in case I gotta fight." Marcos protests.

"I hate to break it to you, but if this gets to fighting, your hands aren't gonna help. Turn around. Turn around. Now." Lucy answers, cuffing the guy

"Can we escape out the back?" Tim asks Ana, when she returns.

"No, sir, there are more out back" Ana shakes her head.

"little lady is right, I saw them when Keon rolled up" Deacon agrees.

"Bring him out! We know he in there! We'll be here all night. Trying to act like this fool ain't here. Yo, send that little punk on out! Bring him out already!" The men from outside chant.

[Timeskip]

Ana and Lucy are looking out the window, where the men are hitting the cruiser with bats.

"That's gonna be a lot of paperwork for you two." Tim observes.

"Seriously? That's what you're thinking about right now? Hypothetically, is there ever a scenario where we just, you know, give them what they want? Where we, you know, balance one life against the lives of many lives and make that hard call?" Lucy asks.

"That call isn't ours to make. Look, we're here to serve and protect. We don't get to decide who we serve or who we protect." Tim responds.

"So you're willing to die for that guy?" Lucy asks.

"I am unwilling to let fear make me do something I'll be ashamed of in the light of day." Bradford replies.

"hey, what are you doing?" Ana asks, softly, when Deacon opens the front door.DEACON

"I'm gonna talk." Deacon replies.

"Damn it. You stay here. No matter what happens to me, you two protect him." Bradford orders before walking out the door behind Deacon.

"we will." Lucy and Ana promise.

Ana looks out the window, watching Deacon get punched in the stomach before Bradford stops them.

"Hey, leave him alone. You want to beat someone up, I'm right here." Bradford says.

"Only one I want is Marcos. You give him up, we out of here." Keon replies. "and maybe your little pet" Keon makes eye contact with Ana who is looking out the window.

Bradford growls under his breath before calming himself down. "I can't do that." Bradford replies.

"Look, I got no beef with you or Joe. But that fool in there, he was creeping with my old lady. So he gots to get dealt with!" Keon exclaims.

"Yeah, that's right. Mm-hmm. Yeah." His men agree.

"Give up. You're alone. Outnumbered." Keon says.

"You know, it was pointed out to me today that I've been doing patrol a long time. Maybe too long. You know, I've seen a lot of friends move up and on. Promotions. Other agencies." Bradford says.

"I don't give a damn, Cop." Keon spits out.

"Well, you should. 'Cause one thing I've learned all these years is that I'm never alone. And I'm never outnumbered." Bradford replies

At the exact right moment, cops surround the men and a helicopter comes overhead, shining a spotlight onto Bradford and Keon.

Bradford pulls his gun out. "You're under arrest. Turn around, get down on your knees. Turn around! Hands behind your head." Bradford orders.

"Call it in, Chen!" Bradford calls.

"7-Adam-19, last fugitive in custody. Show us Code 4." Lucy says over the radio while Ana pulls Marcos off of the couch.

[Timeskip]

"what's on your mind, boot?" Bradford asks, seeing Ana working on paperwork but her pen is frozen in mid air and she's obviously up in her own head.

Ana looks up at him. "you're tall" Ana starts, softly. "and strong"

"thanks?" Bradford says, confused.

"I'm short" Ana says, softly. "and I don't look strong"

"is this about what Keon said?" Bradford asks.

"It's not the first time someone's made a comment like that" Ana responds, softly.

"d-do you think my size and appearance will make it impossible to be taken seriously?" Ana asks, softly.

"I think that it means you'll have to work harder to prove yourself, but once you do prove yourself, your height won't matter one damn bit" Bradford responds.

"do you think Russo gave a damn when you managed to talk her down like an expert today?" Bradford asks.

"well... no" Ana says, softly.

"the people who matter about impressing, aren't going to give a damn if you prove yourself, keep that in mind, boot" Bradford says, standing up.

"you bought more books" Ana smiles, seeing him carrying more Sergeants books.

"more for you to read, cupcake" Bradford grins.

"goodnight, sir" Ana says, softly.

"goodnight, boot" Bradford says before walking off.