I wasn't happy with this chapter, so I had to rewrite it. It flows a little better….lol. Anyways, I apologize for the delay, and posting of chapters will resume. So enjoy and thank you for your reviews. I appreciate them.

"So the only thing we have to do is keep her out of the Castello's grasp until they get arrested. How hard could that be?"

"We're still trying to come up with a contingency plan Mac. Give it time," Pete suggested.

"Time is the one thing she's running out of Pete."

Chapter 7 - The Fire's Roaring

Lynne awoke early the next morning, a little confused as to where she was. She slowly got up and looked around the room, realizing she was in Mac's bedroom. She staggered her way downstairs and got herself a glass of juice, then went to the windows.

"Morning," Mac said.

"Morning. Sorry if I disturbed you."

"No. Not at all. I was just going to get up."

Mac made his way to the kitchen and started brewing water for tea. He told Lynne what happened after she fell asleep the night before.

"How long do they figure it will take?"

"A few days….depending on how fast they can gather all the evidence and get the warrants drawn up."

Lynne just nodded her head.

"Mind if I go have a shower? Then we can go to Phoenix and see Pete for an update."

"Sure…go ahead." as she sipped her tea.

As soon as she heard the bathroom door closed, she got her things together, she took her sling off, put her jacket on and slipped out the door. Mac came out ten minutes later.

"Ah…that felt good. There's still hot water left if you want one. Lynne?" He looked around the bedroom, then looked downstairs. Her sling was on the counter. He ran out the front door, and could see no sign of her.

"Damn….damn…..damn….."

He ran back in and called Pete, then got dressed and headed out the door.

Lynne made her way down on of the backstreets, trying to be as discreet as possible. She was heading back towards the shelter, at least they wouldn't find her there. Even if they did, at least no one else would get hurt. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she didn't even hear the car pulling up behind her. She heard someone calling her name, and she panicked, trying to run; but a hand reached out for her arm, knocking her off balance. She lost her balance, falling to the ground, her head striking the pavement hard. She slid into unconsciousness. Mac carefully picked her up, berating himself for being so careless, and placed her into the front seat of the jeep.

Mac phoned Doctor Brackett, and informed him what had taken place.

"I'll meet you at your place in ten minutes." and hung up.

Mac drove quickly to the houseboat.

Mac had just placed Lynne on the couch when he heard Dr. Brackett let himself in. Brackett crossed the room and started his examination, while Mac went and updated Pete.

"So? What's the verdict doc?" as he sat down on the coffee table.

"It looks like a mild concussion. She'll have a headache when she wakes up."

Mac just shook his head and ran his hand through his hair.

"It's my fault. If I hadn't of reached for her so roughly, she wouldn't have fallen and hit her head."

Brackett disagreed.

"If you hadn't of gotten to her when you did, she would be by herself and in more danger. Stop blaming yourself! You did what you had to," and placed a hand on Mac's shoulder.

Both of them heard a rustle at Mac's door and saw Pete enter.

"Mac! I just got a call from John. You've got to get out of here!Now! There was a leak at the CIA. One of John's friends turned out to be a double agent and he informed the Castello's where you live. They're on their way to kill both of you!"

"Great! Just great Pete. Do you have a suggestion of where we can go?"

"As a matter of fact I do Mac. There's a newly established safe house on the lower East side that Phoenix has just set up. Only a few of us know about it," and tossed him the keys. "And use my car, they're not looking for it. That is, if you don't mind me using your jeep to get back to Phoenix?"

"That's fine Pete," and quickly packed a bag for himself.

"Okay Mac. Call me on my cell phone to let me know you got there safely."

"Okay Pete. And please…be careful."

"You too. Talk to you later." Pete yelled over his shoulder as he left.

"I'm coming with you to the safe house…I want to make sure that there's no side effects from the concussion. And I don't want any arguments."

Mac opened his mouth, then wisely closed it. He knew there was no point in arguing, not that they had any time for discussions anyways. Mac carried Lynne out to the car and laid her down in the backseat, and Brackett got in beside her. Mac went back in to get the two packsacks and crutches, then jumped in the car and headed towards the east side.

Pete pulled into his assigned parking spot at Phoenix. The two men sitting in the Lincoln Continental nodded, matching the description of the vehicle to what the agent had told them. Both exited the car quickly, then approached Pete.

"Mr. Thorton? We'd like you to come with us. The Castellos need your assistant in connecting with an old friend. Unfortunately, you don't have a choice!" both men snickered as they pulled out their guns and pointed them at Pete.