LEAD ME - CHAPTER 4

Mac Taylor led his charge down the hall and across the airport to the private hangers. The trip so far was uneventful and Mac was grateful. Christy wasn't too happy about wearing the vest, but she didn't complain. Wow, he thought, Horatio must have some hold over this girl because she sure backed down when he threatened to call him. Mac chuckled to himself. He imagined that Horatio was more of a father figure than a brother due to their age difference. Christy was obviously much younger than Horatio. Horatio was a man to be obeyed. Although he had a quiet demeanor, Mac wouldn't want to be on his bad side. Mac was broken out of his thinking as they reached the double glass doors going outside. He turned to Don.

"Don, we're about to head outside. I think we should get a cart and take her down to the hanger. It's a long walk to the Bal Harbour hanger and I don't want her outside anymore than necessary. Go arrange for a cart, please."

"On it, Mac." Don responded and gave Christy a little wink.

Christy sighed.

Mac looked at her concerned, "What's wrong?"

"You know what's wrong Detective Taylor? I'll tell you what's wrong. I'm tired of everyone treating me like I'm 5 years old. I have no idea what's going on. I don't know why Horatio had me fly home. I don't now why I'm wearing a bullet proof vest. I don't know why I'm flying home on some private jet and couldn't finish the flight I was supposed to be on." Christina stormed. Christina had just about had it. She was trying to be brave and obedient and all those things. She wasn't used to listening to Horatio anymore. She had been on her own for 4 years. It was just so natural for her to slide back into that obedient little girl that Horatio expected her to be. But she had an internal war raging in her. Her independence versus her need to be safe with her only family. She started to tear.

Mac was stunned. That was on awful lot of venom she was spewing. He figured she must be tired, worried and confused. Mac could understand Horatio's need to protect her. He felt that same protective instinct. After all, he was old enough to be her father. Mac reached for her, "Christina, listen Horatio is just trying to protect you."

Christina fell into Mac's open arms. Now she was crying in earnest and felt like an idiot. Mac pushed her back at little, "Christina, Horatio is worried the people that killed his wife are after you. That's all I'm going to say, you'll have to ask Horatio the rest."

"Why didn't he just say that?" Christina sniffled trying to get herself under control.

"I don't know." responded Mac honestly.

Christina took a deep breath. She looked at Mac gratefully. "I'm sorry. Please forgive for that. I guess I'm just spent." she said as she took a step back and looked at Mac sheepishly.

Mac smiled, "No need to apologize. If I had a little sister and the roles were reversed, I know that Horatio would do everything in his power to make her safe."

As Mac released her, Don was riding up to them with a cart. Don noted that Mac had been holding her and that Christina's face was tear streaked. He drew in a breath. Mac wasn't the most demonstrative person until he was pushed in a corner. He wondered what that whole scene was all about. He put on his best smile as he drove up, "You're limo awaits." he said as he drove up.

Mac assisted Christina into the cart and got in himself as the automatic doors opened. The cart driver headed toward the hanger and all seemed at peace. Christina was quiet. Mac dialed David Oliver and told him that they were on there way and he should have the plane ready to go. He didn't want any time elapsed. Just as Mac hung up with David Oliver, shots rang out.

"Down!" he shouted as the shots rang out around him.

Don grabbed the cart attendant, "Can you drive like a race car driver and zig zag?"

The young man on the cart grinned. "Yes sir!"

"Do it!" yelled Don.

The young man gunned the cart as fast as it would go, 25 miles per hour and droved like a crazy man. All the while shots were ringing out around them. Mac had pushed Christina down so that she was kneeling on the floor of the cart. Don and Mac didn't even bother to shoot, they couldn't see anyone around. They had both figured it was sniper. It was an agonizing few minutes that seemed like an hour, but they finally made it to the hanger, the hanger door was open and the plane had taxied out of the hanger. The cart drove up and they practically threw Christina onto the plane. Another few shots rang out as Christina boarded the plane and the door closed. The driver drove to the back of the hanger and the hanger door closed as the plane taxied down the run way.

Mac sighed and hoped that the sniper didn't hit the fuel tank. He expelled a deep breath of relief as he heard the plane get in the air. The sniper must have missed the fuel tank and the plane made it into the air. He was doubly relieved when he realized there was a video feed from the security camera and he could watch Oliver get Christina into the air safely. He looked over at the driver and Flack. "Good job, young man." he said to the airport security guard.

The security guard blushed. "Thank you, sir."

"Ever consider the police force?" asked Mac.

"Um yes sir, actually I just applied for the Spring class. I haven't heard yet." the young man said bowing his head.

"What's your name, son?" asked Mac.

"Eli Terry, sir."

"Well Eli, I think you are going to hear very soon." said Mac smiling.

Eli's face lit up like a million Christmas trees. He was only 22, just out of college. He had majored in Criminology. He couldn't wait to go home and tell his parents.

"You come to me when you graduate, ok? I'm Mac Taylor with the NYPD Crime Lab."

"Yes sir," said Eli beaming.

Mac just chuckled. Flack looked on. He enjoyed watching Mac make this kid's day.

Don looked at Mac, "Mac, what say we hang out here for a little while and get an actual police car to get us out of here."

Mac smiled at Don, "Good job, Don and yes call for a car. I'm ready for a little peace. In the meantime, I'm going to call Horatio and let him know what's happened." Mac smiled as he grabbed his phone to call Horatio.

Christina stumbled onto the plane. She was in a seat, buckled in and the door was closed before she knew it. She wondered, how did Mac know this was the right plane and the right pilot. She was still shaking at being shot at. She hated small airplanes. Horatio knew she hated small spaces, especially airplanes. She was certain she was going to start throwing up any minute.

As soon as David leveled out the plane, he got on the microphone. "Hi Christina, I'm David Oliver. I'm a friend of your brother's. Your safe now, try and relax. You can come sit up here with me. Horatio told me you don't like small planes, looking out at the sky will make you feel better."

Christina did her level best to dry her tears and suck it up. She made her way to the cockpit. She looked green. Even green, David could see what a lovely young lady she was. The resemblance to his old friend was remarkable. They certainly couldn't deny each other. David grinned, "There's some Dramamine melt tabs on the seat for you. I promise they work quickly."

Christina didn't even acknowledge him as she gratefully sat down and took the medication. Finally gaining her composure, she asked, "How did Mac know it was you in the plane and not some bad guy trying to shoot at me."

"Oh Mac and I go way back, he's been up in my plane many times. I was an NYPD cop many years ago." David answered with a smile.

"Oh," she said sitting back. She was fuming. Horatio knew how she felt about small planes, when she got home she was going to kill him. As she sat back, the Dramamine was starting to work.

David looked over, "Put on the head phones and the mike and we'll be able to talk without shouting."

Christina did as she was told.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"Sure, I get shot at every day and get stuck on a small plane with some guy I don't know. Yeah, I'm peachy." she grouched glaring.

"Heh, heh," said David, "Don't shoot the messenger."

"I'm sorry," said Christina. "This hasn't been my day."

"Well, why don't you sit back and relax, we have about a 5 hour trip to Miami." he said.

Christina nodded at David, she sat back and began to drift off. What a day!