Disclaimer: Not mine, never have been, never will be.

Sorry for taking so long. As you probably know, the internet connection here in Asia sucks now, so it's been hard for me to get online to post this...

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6. Capture

There were three new people in the room. All of them were grinning gleefully, like a predator that just cornered its prey. The guy in the middle was the one holding the gun at Danny.

Danny recognized all three of them. They were all Tanglewood Boys about the same age as him but Danny had forgotten their names.

"Good o' Messer… predictable like clockwork," sneered the guy with the gun, who seemed to be in charge, "Nice work, Mitch,"

Danny glanced at Mitch, who was cowering in the corner. Mitch shook his head desperately, "No! Danny… I swear I didn't!"

Danny felt angry alright, but the anger was directed at himself. Why hadn't he listened to Mac and Flack?

The leader grinned and threw the gun to Mitch, "Time to redeem yourself, buddy,"

One of the other guys grabbed Haylie and pulled her to the side, preventing her from running.

The leader grabbed Mitch's shaky arm and guided it to aim the gun at Danny.

"No…Larry…no…" whimpered Mitch.

A distant bell of recognition rang in Danny's mind. Larry Knight. A Tanglewood Boy only a year older than Danny. He was one of those who helped Sassone attack him when Danny quit.

"C'mon, Mitch. Prove you're one of us. Put a bullet in your buddy's head… as easy as that. Then we won't let out that you snitched on us… you won't have to suffer the consequences…"

Danny's legs felt like lead. He couldn't do anything. So Mitch had really been trying to help Danny. Not that any of that mattered at the moment…

Mitch hesitated for a second too long. Knight cursed loudly, "Damn it, you coward," he yanked the gun out of his grip, "You're next after Messer!"

For the third time in five minutes, the gun was pointed at Danny again, "I always wanted to see this moment, Messer. It's quite a bonus that I get to be the one to do this…"

Many things were running though Danny's mind. Where are they? Isn't this the time when help arrives? When Flack comes smashing through the door with a whole load of NYPD officers behind him? Or does that kind of thing only happen in books and TV?

Danny turned to look at his daughter. The man holding her had his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming. Her eyes had tears streaming down.

A four-year-old is never supposed to go through this. Danny blamed himself for it. He hoped that Haylie will be able to get away safely. He hoped that Haylie will forgive him.

If it was any consolation, the last thing Danny sees before dying is his daughter. He wouldn't have it any other way.

He suddenly thought of Aiden, 'I'm sorry…' he thought as he saw Knight's finger pull the trigger, 'I love you…'

Aiden's and Haylie's faces burst clearly into his mind. Out of nowhere, Danny felt the sense to move. He ducked to the floor as the loud bang of a bullet rang through the air, shattering the window behind Danny.

I'm alive…

Next thing he knew, the door slammed open and Mac entered the room, closely followed by Flack and to Danny's relief, Aiden.

Flack pointed his gun at Knight, "'Sup, pal? Don't need me to tell ya' what to do…"

Instantly, Knight dropped his gun and lifted both arms skywards. The other two guys did the same. Haylie immediately dashed to Danny's arms. Aiden joined them, tears in her eyes. Danny couldn't help but smile. They were back together. Finally.

Over Aiden's shoulder, he saw Mac give him a smile and a nod. A paramedic came in and took Haylie for a check-up. Aiden gave Danny a kiss and said, "I'm glad you're ok,"

Flack was handcuffing the Tanglewood Boys and Danny said jokingly, "Sure took you long enough to get here…"

Flack grinned and said, "Hey, it's your own darn fault we're late." He wasn't bothering with how roughly he was putting Knight's wrists together.

But when he got to Mitch, Danny said, "Wait… he didn't have anything to do with this. He was trying to help me."

Flack hesitated, then he lowered the handcuffs, "We'll still need to take him in for questioning." Mitch was still trembling soundlessly.

Danny went up to Mac, "I'm sorry…"

Mac shook his head and put a shoulder on the younger CSI's shoulder, "Nothing to be sorry for…"

Out of the corner of Danny's eye, he saw Mitch shove Flack away with unexpected strength. He then made a dive for Knight's dropped gun.

Before anyone could react, Mitch wrapped an arm around Aiden's neck and pressed the gun to her forehead.

Danny and Mac immediately raised their guns as Flack struggled to get up.

Mitch shook his head, "Uh-uh… put those down…"

Danny could have screamed, but all he could do was mutter numbly, "What are you doing?"

Mitch slowly walked to the door, dragging Aiden along with him, "One thing you learn in this gang, Danny? Trust no one…" He walked out of the doorway.

Then, he whispered to Aiden, "Shut the door,"

Trembling, Aiden did as she was told. She gripped the door knob and slowly pulled it shut.

All the while, her eyes were locked onto Danny's.

Although neither of them said a word aloud, they understood each other perfectly clearly.

Be careful.

Don't worry.

I love you.

Good bye…

TBC