Hello there, so I'm new to this online world of writing so please take it easy on me, but be honest - I can take it. I love Person of Interest, so I've started writing this story which is now turning into a worrying addiction. I'm not sure that I've done the great characters in this show justice, so please let me know if I should give up...

CHAPTER ONE: Meeting Juliet

Team Machine stood huddled together outside the large red apartment building they exited only minutes ago. John Reese peered around the corner, silently counting twenty, maybe thirty Samaritan agents. Their guns were raised and they waited patiently for their opponents to come out of their only remaining hiding place.

"There are too many of them…"said John as he turned back to face Finch and Root

Root faced John defiantly, the anger at John's suggestion clear in her voice "Are you really giving up now John? After everything we've been through?"

"It's not a question of giving up. I'm telling you how it is. We won't be able to take these guys down" replied John.

They were alone now. Their God, their protector was condensed into just one briefcase. If there was a way out, they were going to have to find it on their own. As Finch listened to John's assessment of their situation, he gazed at John's injured arm and silently prayed for a miracle to save them.

"Miss Groves" spoke Finch suddenly, interrupting the thoughts of the other two "I think we should consider the very real possibility that we may be captured" he added

Root was silent and pensive, staring blankly at her two friends, small tears forming at the base of her eyes as she thought about Finch's statement. "Harold….if we're captured, The Machine will die with us"

There was a momentary silence as everyone contemplated the consequences of their predicament as well as their lives without The Machine. Harold Finch however, had apparently made peace with such an event. "The Machine may already be dead." he said.

Root inhaled a sharp breath to argue against Harold's assumptions regarding the condition of The Machine, when something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. In the middle of the road, facing them was a manhole cover and Root wasted no time in trying to open it. Minutes later, with John's aid, the three of them stared down into the dark hole.

"So….. Who wants to go first?" said Root with that mischievous tinge in her voice.

Unsure of what was waiting for them at the other end, John went down first, followed by Finch. When they got down, they were knee deep in cold, dirty water. The smell was unbearable and it was almost dark. The only hope came in the form of a very faint light, far in the distance.

Upon seeing the light, John half smiled "Walk towards the light?"

"I think the convention is to walk away from the light Mr Reese"

A raised eyebrow from John awaited Finch when descended the slippery ladder. "However, in this case…I think we should walk towards the light" he corrected whilst gazing at John apologetically.

Root's decent was rapid. Part way down the ladder, she jumped into the water "Gentlemen " she said whilst counting the bullets in her only remaining weapon "….whichever direction we go, I suggest we hurry"

Initially, they made steady progress through the semi-darkness. John was methodical and tactical, eliminating any hazards such as lose pipes and debris, enabling Finch to keep up the steady pace behind him, whilst Root patrolled the back. They were momentarily interrupted by a couple of ricocheting bullets. Root encouraged John and Finch to keep up their pace, whilst she took care of their tail. Once she emptied the last of her bullets into the two agents pursing them, she ran through the water and caught up with John and Finch.

"John" she said whilst catching up on breaths "Something's wrong, there were only two of them behind us -" she ended abruptly, as she observed John's frustrated expression

Suddenly it occurred to Root that they had reached an impasse. She noticed that John stood in front of an inch thick, metal, floor- to- ceiling mesh. Finch rested on another ladder, similar to the one they used moments ago. A resigned look covered both of their faces.

"They're waiting for us, aren't they?" she said as she pointed up the ladder.

John nodded softly in agreement and the silence that followed was deep and dismal. Seconds later, it was only broken by the sound of approaching footsteps and the soft waves in the dirty water.

Samaritan had them surrounded. They were out of weapons. They were out of options.

"Harold!" John announced suddenly, waking everyone from their thoughts. Pointing to the briefcase which housed The Machine, he added "is that case waterproof?"

"Yes, I think so"

"Good"

John pulled the briefcase out of Finch's hand, dived to his knees besides the ladder leading up to the surface and stuffed the case behind the ladder. Once the briefcase appeared secure enough within the confines of the ladder, John pushed it down and completely submerged it underwater.

"Mr Reese, what are you-"

Root smiled excitedly as she worked out the logic of John's thoughts "Samaritan doesn't know we've managed to save The Machine.." she said aloud to no-one in particular

"I'm giving your precious Machine a resting place.." explained John to both of his companions "at least until one of you can come back and get it"

Finch stared at "the resting place" of his Machine as he spoke "I appreciate your optimism Mr Reese, but given our situation -"

"Oh Harry.." Root interrupted with a fond smile "stop putting such a damper on things. The Machine is safe from Greer, that's all that matters."

John finally pulled his arms from under water and his look suggested that he had secured the briefcase as best as he could. Finch remained uncertain but nobody had enough time to dwell on the situation. The manhole cover above them opened.

"Right, I guess I'll go first" announced Root and approached the ladder.

At street level, Root found what she was expecting; several Samaritan agents with guns drawn just waiting for an excuse to fire. Finch emerged at the top almost immediately after Root, but John lagged behind, hindered by the sling over his shoulder. Getting impatient with John's pace, a couple of Samaritan agents pulled him to the top. Finch's body tensed as he watched John's face distort in agony when two Samaritan Agents forced his hands behind his back.

"It's about time" declared a loud voice with a thick British accent.

Greer emerged from the shadows, coming to a stop a few feet away from his row of prisoners. "You know Harold…" he began whilst facing Finch "I can believe that you thought you could run from me, but to think that you could evade Samaritan?"

"Samaritan made a deal with The Machine" interrupted Root, ignoring Greer's desire for small talk. "Our lives, for the location of The Machine" she reminded him.

Greer appeared offended at the interruption. "Your Machine is dead!" he said sternly with a smug smile "The deal is void."

"So let us go." suggested John "Without The Machine, we're not a threat to you.."

Greer turned to John with a quizzical frown as if he was actually thinking through John's offer. "I'm afraid I don't agree. I've wasted enough time mending the little holes you keep making in my plans." Turning back to face Finch, he added "but don't worry Harold, I promise I will make this special for you."

Greer scanned the confused and confrontational faces of his prisoners and smiled. Then he stepped aside, exposing a view of a large black SUV.

"Juliette!"