Chapter One:

In the Club

Sterling looked at her as he placed one hand over his chest. "Sorry I'm late, Darling."

Coleen scrambled to get up and rushed to him. He stumbled back and clasped to his knees. She grabbed him before he completely fell. Her eyes looked down at him as she held him.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Because you and I are a team," Sterling whispered.

"Damn it, Jim!" She cursed. "I could take care of myself."

"Hardison, call an ambulance now!" Nate shouted.

"Already called." Hardison said.

She wrapped her arms around him and cradled him into her arms.

"Don't do this to me, Jim," she began to whimper.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her lips quivered fighting hard to hold back her tears that were pushing their way through. She stroked his head.

"Don't leave me," she whimpered. "Please."

Sophie grabbed Nate's arm tight and he looked at her. Nate kissed her head and pulled away from Sophie. He removed his suit coat and rushed towards Coleen and Sterling. Amelia pointed the gun towards him.

"Stop right there!" she shouted, firing a warning shot just close enough to Nate.

Nate stopped and held up his hand and turned around.

"Let me help him," Nate said.

"You can't help that bastard," Amelia remarked.

Her eyes narrowed at Nate.

"You obviously have some amnesty towards him, I don't blame you." Nate looked at Sophie and Maggie. "What do you want so we can get out of here without anyone else getting hurt?"

Amelia looked at Nate as he stood there. She smiled and walked towards him and grabbed his coat. She shook it and the ruby fell out one of his pockets along with the Interpol badge Sterling gave him.

"Interpol?" Amelia knelt down to lift the badge.

She glanced at the badge and grabbed the ruby that fell out of his pocket. She stood and looked at Sophie and Maggie. Amelia walked towards them and stared at Sophie.

"Where's the other ruby?" she asked.

"I don't have it," Sophie remarked.

"Then you'll just have to come with me," Amelia said and grabbed Sophie.

"Soph," Nate said before thinking.

"Very interesting," she said. "I guess I got your Maharaja Ruby."

She pushed Sophie towards her body guards and kept the gun pointing towards the others.

"Bring the ruby to me and I'll release her." Amelia smiled and walked out the door. "Come on Trotter."

Trotter got up and ran after Amelia as she shut the door.

Nate looked at Maggie as she rushed over towards Coleen and Sterling. She removed her shawl and pressed hard against Sterling's chest. Nate knelt down and looked at Coleen. The distress was far from just seeing someone get shot, it was the idea of losing someone she cared deeply about.

"Nate, he's hurt badly. He needs to get to a hospital," Maggie said as she stared at the blood.

Sterling opened his eyes and Nate looked at the sweat dripping down his face. He shook his head and looked at Coleen.

"Eliot, Amelia took Sophie and she has the real Maharaja Ruby," Nate said.

"How the hell did she get it?" Eliot snapped.

"Long story, She shot Sterling," Nate said.

"Damn it,that was my job!" Eliot shouted.

"Eliot, focus! Find Amelia and get Sophie back, just be careful."

"You got it."

Nate looked at Sterling as he seemed to fade in and out of consciousness. He looked at Maggie's shawl as the soft blue soaked the blood. Nate glanced back at Coleen. She held Sterling closer to her. She stroked his head.

"Come on, Jim," she whispered. "You can't do this to me. You can't do it to Olivia either."

"There's a lot of blood," Nate said. "We have to stop this bleeding."

Coleen looked down at him now tears had forced their way out. She leaned forward and kissed his head.

"Coleen," she heard Sterling whispered.

She looked down at him. His eyes were slightly glazed over.

"It only hurts a little," he whispered.

"You're going to be ok," Coleen replied between sobs. "We're going to take care of everything."

Sterling smirked and he moved his hand towards her, but fell short of reaching her cheek. She grabbed his hand and kissed it.

"I'm not leaving your side, Jim." She smiled and leaned her head onto his hand.

"Nate, the ambulance is here," Hardison, chimed in.

"Alright, send them up here," Nate replied.

He looked at Coleen as she tried to be strong.

"Agent Graham, the ambulance is here." Nate said.

Coleen looked at Nate and nodded.

"Eliot, what's your position?" Nate asked.

Down an alley way by the club

Eliot stared at the dark haired woman. He narrowed his eyes as she stood holding Sophie at gun point.

"You are as stupid as they say you are," Amelia said. "What's Sterling and Graham doing working with a bunch of petty thieves anyway?"

"I assure you we aren't petty, Amelia," Sophie said. "And he doesn't take kindly to that word."

Amelia smiled pushed Sophie towards one of the body guards.

"Put her into the car. I'll take care of him," Amelia remarked.

"You have what you want, let her go," Eliot said. "That ruby is all you need."

"I know it is, but I was thinking how great it would be to have a second ruby," Amelia said. "Trotter, was the one who got me into the jewel circle."

Amelia glanced over her shoulder at the black car that waited for her.

"I spent six years undercover for Interpol. And what did I get for it not a single damn thing. But who got the credit for trying to bring down an empire and surviving a brutal attack, but Coleen Graham, Eleanor's precious daughter. Her favorite."

Eliot looked at Amelia and she raised her gun towards him. He put his hands up and Amelia's hand shook.

"It's not always fair. Trust me I know. We see some unfair stuff that we work with. And certain people take credit that they don't deserve."

Amelia looked at him.

"And I know you only have four shots left in that gun of yours." Eliot smiled.

She didn't back down when Eliot came close to her.

"Parker, now!" he shouted.

Amelia glanced up, but not enough time to be forced to the ground. The gun fired a shot in Eliot's direction. The bullet whizzed past his head and he looked at Amelia penned to the ground by Parker.

"Nice," Eliot said.

Parker grabbed Amelia and she looked at both of them.

"You are just stupid little armatures," Amelia remarked.

"Yeah, well, we have you now. And I'm sure that we'll get paid a little more for capturing you and Trotter."

"You forget who I am," Amelia snapped.

"I have no clue who the hell you are," Eliot said. "Just some crazy agent that shot another agent. Even I don't shoot agents…although I would love too."

"Especially if it's Sterling," Parker said.

"Yeah, I hate Jim Sterling, but that wasn't right," Eliot said.

"Awe, Eliot, that was nice." Parker smiled.

Amelia rolled her eyes and struggled to get free.

"So, here's the deal, you give me the ruby and Sophie and I won't kill you." Eliot tucked his hair behind his ear. "How's that sound?"

Amelia smiled and looked at Eliot.

"I'll give you one or the other. You see I got buyers," Amelia remarked. "And they really want that ruby. So, I'll give you this Sophie, but I'm keeping the ruby."

"You know that thing is cursed right?" Parker said.

"Parker," Eliot snapped.

"I know, the whole reason it's worth money. Just think what the Hope Diamond would be worth?"

Eliot looked at Amelia and narrowed his eyes at her. She smiled and looked behind her. Eliot glanced over her shoulder and saw a light at the end of the alley way. He narrowed his eyes and before he could say anything the light became blinding. He covered his face and everything went black.

Hospital

Coleen paced back and forth waiting for word on Sterling. Her eyes darted back and forth and she sat down.

"Nate, go," Maggie said.

Nate ran his hands through his hair. He looked at Maggie and saw the sympathy for him. He stood up and looked at her.

"I'm sorry, you were never supposed to be brought into this," Nate said.

Maggie stood up and rested her hand on his cheek.

"I only agreed to it because you needed someone who isn't your team to be there," Maggie said.

Nate looked at her and leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"I'll let you know," Maggie said.

Nate looked at Coleen.

"Call, Olivia," He told Coleen, "She'll want to know."

Coleen glanced up at Nate and tears began to fall from her face.

"It's all my fault," Coleen whispered.

Maggie got up and walked over to her. She wrapped her arm around Coleen and comforted her. Nate took a deep breath and walked out the emergency entrance. He looked up at the full moon as is hung in the sky.

"Hardison, any word from Eliot and Parker?" Nate asked.

"They're ear bugs lost signal about twenty minutes ago," Hardison replied. "Nate, I got a bad feeling."

"Don't start with those bad feelings, Hardison." Nate stepped towards Sterling's car up the block.

As he clicked the keyless entry the car exploded. Nate was thrown back and hit his head on the pavement.

Alley Way

Eliot opened his eyes and moaned. He glanced around and saw Parker on the ground.

"Parker," Eliot's hoarse voice called her. "Parker!"

He pushed himself up and felt a lot of pain on his sides. He placed his hand onto his side and felt a string of pain.

"Damn it," he cursed.

Eliot dragged himself towards Parker and fell to the ground. He reached out and shook her shoulder.

"Parker," he said.

"I'm alright," she muttered. "Just trying to picture what I'd look like if I died."

"Get up, Parker," Eliot hissed.

She pushed herself up and cracked her neck and shoulders. She looked at him as he once more pushed himself up.

"Damn it, whatever that thing was it did some damage," Eliot said looking around the crumbled sides of the building.

"Eliot, you're bleeding," Parker said.

He glanced down and saw something sticking out his side. He reached for it and pulled it out quickly. Eliot glanced at the piece of metal and tossed it to the side. His hand immediately went to put pressure on the spot.

"We need to get to the others." Eliot looked at Parker. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, but what was that?"

Parker walked over to Eliot as he slightly limped. He couldn't place that kind of weapon that Amelia used. It was different and dangerous.

"Call, Nate and let him know Amelia got away." Eliot reached into his back pocket to pull out his phone.

He handed it to Parker and she looked at the screen.

"It's dead, Eliot." Parker broke open his phone and the chip was completely fried.

"What the hell?" Eliot muttered.

He glanced down the alley way and listened to the music that continued to blare. He looked at Parker and wrinkled in brow.

"Oh, it's not in a low security place. This building is another vault. It's filled with priceless artifacts."

"Trotter said that the night club is another vault," Eliot said. "I know where they took Sophie."

"Where?"Parker asked.

"Trotter's building." Eliot hurried towards the street. He looked around and saw Maggie's car. "Parker?"

"I'm already on it," Parker said with a smile.

Eliot watched as Parker pulled down her hair and pulled two sharp pins. She was quick to avoid from setting off the car alarm and popped the lock. She smiled and opened the door.

"Wow! Maggie has a really nice car," Parker as she eyed every detail.

"Come on, Parker." Eliot hit her shoulder.

She hotwired the car and she popped back up. "Let's drive."

"You have way too much fun with this stuff," Eliot sighed.

Parker took no time to peel off the curb. Eliot glanced at her as she smiled and showed no sign of remorse as she took sharp turns.

"Easy, Parker! Don't try to kill us!" Eliot shouted.

"I'm just test driving, Maggie's car." Parker looked at him. "Lighten up, Eliot."

"I'll lighten up when Amelia has a nice talk with my fist. Damn."

Parker looked at the Bluetooth on Maggie's car and smiled.

"I got an idea." Parker pressed the button.

"What?"

"She's got Bluetooth. Maybe she has Nate's number."

"No, she talked to Sterling last before all this shit happened. Call his phone, Agent Graham should have it."

Parker nodded. "Call Sterling."

The sound of a phone ringing echoed through the speakers. Parker looked at Eliot as he hoped.

At the Hospital

Coleen looked down at Sterling's phone vibrating. She saw Maggie's name flashing on it and her gaze fell to Maggie herself.

"Why are you calling Jim?"

"I'm not." Maggie walked over and looked at the phone. "Someone is in my car."

Coleen took the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"Agent Graham, Where is Nate?"

"Spencer? He went back to the hotel?" Coleen answered.

"Is Maggie with you?" Eliot asked.

"Yes, right here." Coleen looked at Maggie and handed her the phone.

"Hello."

"Maggie, You need to call the hotel and call Hardison and Nate. Tell them Amelia brought Sophie to Trotter's building. She's going to take the fake ruby from Sophie. That vault is highly sensitive. If someone screws up the combination it seals and it's airtight. She's going to try to kill Sophie."

The sudden rush and sounds of sirens were heard outside. Maggie turned and looked out to see fire trucks, ambulances, and cop cars speed down the block.

"Eliot, I have to go." Maggie said quickly.

"No, Maggie wait," Eliot's voice fell to death's ears.

Coleen glanced over at Maggie as she rushed towards the door. Her eyes got wide and she turned to Coleen.

"What?" she asked.

Maggie shook her head. "I just got a bad feeling."

A block from the hospital

Nate opened his eyes. There were sounds sirens in the distance and the fire ate at the exploded car. Nate pushed himself up feeling as though someone had hit him with a speeding car. But he realized it was the concussion waves that forced him back. He rubbed his head and tried to get his bearings. Nate stared at the chaos around as first responders came to help aid those who were affected.

"Hardison, can you hear me?" Nate tried to get in touch.

He stumbled to his knees and stared at the fire.

"What the hell is going on?" Nate mumbled.