A/N: Hi guys. Sorry for the delay in posting. I have recently had a dramatic change in my life, moved to the other end of the country and started a new job so time for me right now is bordering on nonexistent. I thank you for all your reviews and I appreciate your patience with my posting schedule. This chapter is unbeta'd but I hope you enjoy it regardless. Please keep your reviews coming, they keep me going :)
P.S – If you are reading The Calling, a new chapter of that will be up very shortly also. Enjoy...
Chapter 3
Sara decided it was time to leave shortly after seven. It was already dark and although Michael was keen to continue playing, she was tired and it was time to call it a day.
Strapping her son into his seat she closed the door and looked to Tony.
"Thank you for a lovely day," she said.
Smiling at his daughter the officer gave a comical bow. "It was our pleasure. You are welcome anytime, remember that, won't you?"
Timidly smacking her lips together Sara gave a gentle nod. "We will," she responded turning away but she stopped when Tony took a gentle hold on her arm. She looked at him with quizzical eyes.
"And, just if you need to talk, I'm always here. Remember that too."
With a gentle smile she nodded again and leaned forward. Kissing her host lightly on the cheek she squeezed his arm with gentle fingers. "Thank you, Tony, and, I promise, I won't forget. I think I'm just a little...hormonal..."
He smiled. "Goodnight, Sara."
"Night." She returned the smile before saying goodnight to Emily. The little girl giggled and waved goodbye to Michael who copied the gesture and waved his hand.
Slipping into the driver's seat Sara buckled herself in and pulled away.
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Sara was thankful the drive home wasn't a long one but yet, she wasn't looking forward to her confrontation with her husband. As she navigated through the streets of Vegas, her son's voice broke her thoughts and she peeked at him through the rear view mirror.
"Thirsty, Mommy," Michael whimpered.
"Baby, it's late, can't you wait until we get home?" Sara really didn't like walking around town at this time by herself and she was even more conscious she had her son with her.
"Thirsty now," he pouted, kicking his feet.
"Okay," she sighed heavily, taking a left, heading towards the store she knew would still be open at this time of night. "We'll go get you some juice, okay?"
Grinning broadly Michael clapped his hands together. "Yes, juice."
Sighing again, the CSI pulled up outside the Seven Eleven. Slipping from the car she unbuckled her son and helped him out before taking his hand and leading him into the store...
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As the fugitive's car sped through downtown Las Vegas the younger man of the two leaned out of his window and opened fire upon the four squad cars pursuing them.
"God damn it!" Jim Brass shouted, swerving from the path of fire as a bullet struck the bonnet. Picking up his radio he rambled down the appliance. "Control this is Captain Brass. Suspects are heading West on Charleston Boulevard and have opened fire on perusing officers."
"Copy that, Captain, more units en route."
Dropping the radio, Brass sped back up.
The young shooter slumped back into his seat. "They're still coming Ryan!" he shouted pulling off his ski mask.
His brother took his eyes from the road to glare at his sibling. Ripping off his own mask he gritted his teeth, a band of sweat dripping down his face. "Yes! Thank you, Jay. I noticed," he growled.
Looking dead ahead Jay's face dropped, his features contorting a very alarmed expression. "Oh shit! Look out!" he hollered, noticing his brother had swerved onto the wrong side of the street.
Immediately turning his attention back to his driving the older man pulled the wheel hard to the left but with the speed they were travelling, he fought a losing battle to keep control and the car spun from the road.
With a deafening crunch the stolen Chevrolet smashed side on into a parked pickup and become immobilized.
As the numerous chasing squad cars caught up, the two occupants of the wrecked vehicle were quick to act and dragged themselves from the car.
"Get the bag!" Ryan ordered and the youngster grabbed the small black holdall from under his seat. The sirens and screeching of tires snapped both men's attention back to the road and the police officers jumped from their cars.
"Go!" The older man pushed his brother down the alleyway just behind them. Before he followed he fired several shots in the officer's directions.
Pulling out his weapon Brass ducked behind his door as the bullets struck his windscreen. Sucking in a deep breath he slowly peered over the door to see the two men disappearing down the alley, "You three, with me!" he commanded jumping to his feet. "The rest of you, seal off the area."
"Yes, Sir!" they all sounded together.
Ryan and Jay reached the end of the alley and found little option. The area was open and not many places to hide were within a close distance.
"Freeze! Police!" Brass's voice was heard from behind and the brothers spun around, simultaneously firing their guns.
The pursuing officers dived for cover, behind crates and boxes and the criminals ran into the street.
"What are we going to do?" Jay cried in desperate frustration.
Looking to his left Ryan saw another group of officers round the corner of the street. "We need cover." Grabbing his brother's arm he pulled and ran into the first available doorway. The front entrance of the, Seven Eleven.
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"Are you sure you want orange juice and not apple juice?" Sara asked the little boy at her feet eagerly eyeing the row of soft drinks before him.
"Orange," Michael replied swiftly.
"Alright."
As she reached to open the fridge Michael suddenly changed his mind.
"No, apple," he said with a smile.
"Honey," she sighed. "Please make up your mind."
"Apple, I want apple." He nodded proudly at his decision.
"Now you're positive? Because once I pay for this, that's it. We are going home."
Michael nodded again. "Sure."
"Fine," she agreed and pulled open the fridge door. As she was about to reach inside for a bottle the sound of a gunshot made her jump and her heart all but stopped.
Working on instinct she grabbed Michael and shot to the floor, cringing as her heavy body came into sudden contact with the cold laminate flooring. She slithered quickly to the end of the nearest aisle and fixed her back to it, pulling Michael tightly into her arms.
"Baby, don't move," she begged as another shot rang out and Michael jumped in her arms.
"Nobody fucking move, you hear me!" Sara heard as she breathed heavily, clinging to her son with all she could. She dared not move as she heard the screams and whimpers of commotion around her...
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Ryan and Jay burst through the door, guns smoking and ready for anything. Well almost anything, they didn't expect the undercover cop paying for a sandwich at the register and upon seeing their weapons he immediately drew his own. Sadly for the officer though he wasn't fast enough and the brothers opened fire, sending bullets flying everywhere and hitting the older man several times in the chest.
As screams of panicked customers filled the store the cop crumbled to his knees and fell forwards to lay lifeless on the floor. Two people managed to run through the door to freedom as the brothers were busy reloading their weapons but then the two were quick to recover and blocked the exit, randomly pointing their guns around the immediate area.
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As Brass ran towards the store the two screaming people ran out from inside. "They've got guns!" one of them shouted as they ran towards the officers. "They are just shooting! Someone got hit."
"Whoa!" Brass grabbed them and pulled them away. "There are lots of people inside?" He asked.
The couple nodded quickly.
"How many?" the captain enquired with urgency.
"Not sure," the woman gasped, "At least six, maybe more."
"Alright, alright, go with these officers." Brass urged the couple towards two of his men and contemplated his next move as more support arrived. "Alright listen up," he called out. "Possible hostage situation in the Seven Eleven, get the area closed. Front, back, all possible exits, right now!"
Everyone sounded their agreement and ran in opposite directions as even more squad cars pulled up. Sighing, the captain pulled his radio from his pocket and called it in.
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"Nobody fucking move, you hear me?" Jay screamed as he waved his gun around the store.
The store clerk was already on the floor, covering his head with his hands. Another woman writhed in pain as she had been hit in the arm by one of the flying bullets. A young man knelt by her side, holding her tightly and an elderly couple just stared at the two gunmen, in too much shock to even contemplate moving.
"You two..." Ryan pointed his gun at the elderly couple, "...on the floor with them, now!"
Quick to respond the man and woman got on the floor as requested and Ryan held his gun over the group.
"Check the back door, see if we can get out that way," the elder brother commanded the younger. Jay didn't linger and sped towards the back of the store.
"Now body move," Ryan ordered through gritted teeth before stepping backwards towards the front entrance. He quickly pulled down the shutters to prevent any prying eyes and bolted the door securely.
His younger brother returned with haste. "Can't get out that way," he gasped through a panted breath, "Cops everywhere. I bolted the door and flicked on the door alarm. If anyone comes in we will know."
Sighing, the elder man leaned against the counter but suddenly, the four security monitors just to the left of the register caught his eye. Two showed inside the store, one the front of the building and the other the back. He smirked as he walked around to get a better look. At least they could see what the cops were up to but something else caught his attention...the woman and child, hiding.
Ryan flicked on the button for the microphone as he watched her on the security monitor.
The high-pitched screech turned her blood cold as it crackled over the convenience store's worn out intercom in irregular bursts of ear-shattering static.
"I can see you," he almost whispered, "Do you like playing hide and seek?" the voice asked with a chilling sneer. "Would you like me to count to ten?"
Sara felt her heart catch in her throat and her body tense. A cold, sharp shiver ran down her spine as her grip on Michael tightened, their hands shaking as they entwined. This was no game.
"I suggest, little lady, that you come out, right now, before I come and get you, unless, you want to play that is..."
Swallowing hard, Sara placed Michael on the floor and forced herself to her feet with a groan. Pressing her back against the end of the aisle she weighed up her options, her heart beating so fast she could hear the dull throb of her pulse beating in her ears. In a frenzy, her eyes scanned from left to right, right to left, hoping for an option beyond the one instructed of her.
Her breathing quickened as everything seemed to spin around her, a small sob catching in her throat upon realization that there was nowhere to go.
Swallowing hard Sara looked at her son. "I have a child and I'm pregnant," she shouted back, her voice trembling with every word, every syllable.
Ryan sniggered. "Yeah, I can see that, now get out here, where I can see you."
With a heavy breath Sara took Michael's hand again. "Hold on, baby, okay?" she said to her son. "Don't let go."
Michael nodded and gripped his mother's hand firmly.
Slowly, she walked out from the aisle, one hand held her sons and the other she held up high in the air, proving she wasn't a threat.
Ryan caught her in his eye line. "Keep coming," he commanded and Sara complied, stopping just a few feet away from the gun man.
She looked around at the chaos surrounding her. One man faced down on the floor, surrounded by blood, most certainly dead. The pain filled cry of the young woman writhing by the counter made her shiver as her probable boyfriend did all he could to calm her and halt her bleeding. The store clerk sat curled in a ball against the wall, shaking like a bar tender during cocktail hour and an old aged couple crouched beside him, their hands on their heads. They seemed more stunned than anything.
She swallowed hard.
Ryan looked her over with narrowed eyes before turning to the crying woman on the floor.
"Shut the fuck up!" Jay shouted, noticing his brother's stare. "Or I swear to God I'll put you out of your misery." He pointed his gun at her and the bleeding woman attempted to keep quiet through her pain, only emitting tender sobs through gritted teeth.
"Maybe I can help?" Sara suggested quietly, knowing the woman could bleed to death, or worse, be put to death. The brothers turned their full attention back to her.
Sara felt butterflies growing in her stomach as Ryan took several steps towards her, tapping his weapon on the side of his thigh. He tilted his head to look Michael and Sara instinctively lowered her hand and shuffled him behind her.
Grinning, knowing he was in full control, the thug turned his attention back to the woman in front of him. "You don't appear to be in much of a condition to be offering assistance."
"I'm pregnant, not incapable," she just about snapped back in response, not really thinking about her tone. But, she instantly wished she hadn't been so blunt when Ryan moved closer, right up to her now and she swallowed hard as his eyes pierced through hers.
"Hmmmm," he breathed into her and she closed her eyes at the sensation of feeling his breath on her face. "And how is it you think you can help this inconvenient situation?"
"I know first aid," she responded, flicking her eyes to the injured woman. "I can help her, stop the bleeding and make her more comfortable. But, if you would rather she continues to scream I..."
Taking her arm he lightly pulled her towards the group of people and Sara felt her pupils dilate. "No..." She tried to shrug him off looking back to Michael who was now stood all alone and looking completely lost, "...Please, my son."
"Jay, entertain the little one."
"What?" Jay looked to his brother in disbelief. And Sara gave him an equally shocked look in return.
"Just watch him," the older man urged before looking back to Sara. "As long as everyone behaves you will all get out of this in one piece. You seem smart, just don't be too smart."
Nodding quickly Sara knew what he was getting at and watched as Jay approached her son. She couldn't take her eyes off the gun in his hand but as he knelt by Michael he slipped the weapon into his pocket and pulled a toy car from the end of the isle, offering it to the youngster. Michael looked to his mum and she nodded quickly.
"It's alright baby, you play until mommy gets back, you'll be ok, I'm just right over here." She hated the thought of that man near her son but she knew she didn't have much of a choice. Rather they were being nice than not.
"Good." Ryan pushed her softly and she approached the young woman still bleeding on the floor.
The voice of the store clerk interrupted Sara's visual inspection of the victim. "There is a first aid kit under the counter."
Sara and Ryan looked to him as he slowly stood.
"I...I..." he stuttered, "...can get it for you." He pointed across to the counter.
He was about to move but Ryan quickly pointed his gun at him. "No, you get back down." He gestured his weapon to the floor and the clerk quickly sat back on the floor. "You get it," he instructed Sara and she nodded slowly.
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Brass continued to position his officers until the entire area was taped off and secure. As he walked back to his car to retrieve his bullet proof vest his eyes flicked back to the store and he caught sight of something outside the store he hadn't previously noticed due to the chaos. His eyes narrowed as his glance flicked to the licence plate of the car parked just outside the Seven Eleven.
"Oh, good, God," he muttered under a heavy sigh. He knew who the car belonged to. Looking over to the command unit the two people who had escaped earlier were still being questioned by officers. Rushing over to them he was quick with his questioning.
"Was there a pregnant woman inside?"
The man and woman looked at each other.
"Come on, come on," the captain pushed.
"Um, yes," The young woman responded after a little contemplation. "I remember, she came in with a little boy just before everything went nuts."
"She had a child with her?" His question was almost a whimper.
The woman nodded.
Now the captain exhaled a seriously disgruntled sigh and pulled out his radio. "Control, this is Jim Brass. Please be advised possible hostage at Canyon Gate is CSI Sara Sidle and her son. What's the ETA for S.W.A.T and the negotiator?"
"Both en route, Captain. ETA, ten minutes, will inform lab director of situation."
Biting on his tongue Brass switched his radio for his cell phone. He needed confirmation Sara was inside and there was one way he could find out. Plus he had to tell Grissom before Ecklie got the opportunity. He pulled up Grissom's number and hit call. It only took two rings for Grissom to answer...
A/N: Ooooh...tense yet? It's about to get a lot worse! Mwahaha. Hello evil hat :) How will Grissom react? And what next...?