Saving Grace

AU Season 6. Anson, desperate to elude prison, reveals the ace up his sleeve. There are some secrets to be brought out of the closet. He takes hostage a Catholic nun and one of her little charges. The gang races to end Anson's game once and for all.

Disclaimer: All rights and claims to Burn Notice characters and recognizable plots do not belong to me, but USA. I only borrow the characters to satisfy my own plots.

So sorry for the long wait! Real life happened but you guys are awesome! Your reviews are great feedback and are greatly appreciated. Continue doing what you do and rock on! ^_^

7

Michael couldn't wait for the green light from Langley; they didn't have the time, so he called Jesse over Pearce. Michael still wasn't sure about the CIA and was grateful Jesse switched from government to CIFA, same resources but no red tape. Jesse would arrange their travel to Cancun to keep their element of surprise. He hadn't notice the budding relationship between Pearce and him, but even as he hung up the phone he didn't dwell on it.

"Anson contacted Maddie in Vegas and it wasn't good. Seems Morgan was hurt."

"No, she's just a baby." Dani shook her head.

"We have to get ready to move. I'll call my contact." Jesse informed Dani, she frown gearing up for a fight.

"Michael agreed we will do everything by the books." Jesse halted his dialling to look Dani in the eyes.

"Danielle, a little girl and her caretaker is being held by a psychopath, we don't have time to go through Langley."Jesse spoke forcefully and Dani bristled.

"I understand but this isn't a client. This is now a CIA operation."

"Damn right, this is family! If you aren't aboard then I suggest you return to your hotel room Agent Pearce. Whether you like it or not we're leaving now." Jesse finished lowly before turning away from her.

Dani caught her breath as she watched him make his call. Everyone knew she never backed down from a fight and her skin was tough, but the way Jesse hissed her title like that stung her deep. She took a moment to gather herself before heading to his bedroom to change.

Jesse slightly turned to watch her exit the room and sigh, his feelings for Dani are very much real but family came first. He refused to waste any time with protocol when a child's life was on the line. He accepted Dani's life and it was time she accepted his, they wouldn't always agree on methods but compromise will be needed if they still had a future.

Once Fiona had composed herself, they hastily bid Madeline goodbye before rushing to the car. Michael peeled out of the driveway and took the highway back to the loft; Fiona dialled Sam and updated him on the latest. He will arrange standby contacts like Barry, in case they needed fast cash. Everyone agreed to meet up in an hour's time at the airstrip once Jesse confirmed.

Dani changed her clothes quickly but hesitated in the hallway and listened to Jesse's end of the conversation. It didn't take much for him to convince the pilot to fly them over to Cancun as soon as possible. She took a deep breath once he ended the call and entered the living room, they spent a minute just looking at one another. Neither knew how to start but Pearce knew she was in the wrong and swallowed to answer first.

"I'm sorry. I know all of you are more than a team." Dani looked at him and after receiving a nod from him she continued.

"We have different methods but I'm compromising because this is personal to you." Jesse rewarded her with a dazzling smile as he crossed the room to fold her in his arms. "Thank you" was all he whispered, Dani nodded in his chest as she savoured the moment, she couldn't tell which of their hearts were beating louder. They shared a breath before parting and springing into action.

*~*BN*~*

Some children are quite resilient while growing up and Morgan is, but the day had definitely taken a toll on the poor girl. She slept fitfully through the night, waking up repeatedly from the nightmares which plagued her. Sister thankfully had the foresight to dress the girl in a pullup, because she had wet the bed during a panic attack.

Sister Elizabeth watched the dawn break across the sky, for the second night in a row they lacked a peaceful night's sleep. Sister Elizabeth however was determined not to fall asleep, despite her heavy eyelids she untangled herself from Morgan and got out of bed.

With the bathroom door open, she freshened up quickly and then moved towards the window to watch the sun rise. Kneeling by the window she said a prayer to strengthen herself and Morgan as they waited to be rescued. Standing up slowly the weary woman leaned against the window pane, it wasn't long before Morgan joined her; the poor child was too frightened to be alone now.

At 9:00 when still no food was delivered to the room, Sister Elizabeth and Morgan headed downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. They entered the room wearily and stiffened upon meeting Mark eating his breakfast with the Daily Newspaper. The greeted him with sober "Good Morning."

"Good Morning, I must apologize for my Aunt and Uncle's absence. Will only be us 3 this morning. Fill up on breakfast we have a big day prepared." Mark greeted his guests.

After nodding they both settled at the table and Sister prepared their two plates slowly with one eye on Mark and shivered at his smarmy smirk.

After breakfast Elizabeth and Morgan followed Mark through the plantation, the further they got from the house the more energetic Morgan seemed to get. By the time they reached the middle and broke through the clearing the girl was squealing and pulling Sister along as she ran to catch up to Mark. Morgan huffed to catch her breath and looked around stunned.

Before her was a mini obstacle course, with mini tires on the ground to hop through, a chest high slated board makeshift fence with a rope hanging down, a few hay bales and a running track. The visitors looked around in amazement and apprehension, Mark chuckled and kneeled to Morgan's level.

"Let's play a game." Mark said with a shark smile, Morgan shyly peered at him behind Sister's skirt.

*~*BN*~*

Despite their late flight and little sleep, the occupants of the small plane were buzzing with energy and tight with tension this new morning.

"What's the first move Mikey?"

"Anson shouldn't know we're coming and I would like to keep it that way. Everything has to be low key so Anson isn't alerted. We may need a Base of Operation but I'm not planning on staying here too long, I don't trust Anson."

"Don't worry Mikey, Barry has that covered. It's like a Black Ops procedure. I know, his words not mines; but his contacts don't have any idea of our identity and everything is to be kept hush hush, if you know what I mean?" Sam finished with a wink

"We shouldn't dilly dally - this is Anson's home, he's bound to have spies on his payroll everywhere. We should just go in running." Fiona snapped at them all, Michael gave her a level gaze and Pearce scowled.

"How do you suppose we go in gun blazing blindly into unknown territory Fiona? You should be the one advocating we wait for more information since you're closest to the hostages!" Pearce spat and Fiona growled.

"You both have reasonable-"

"Reasonable?" Pearce cut Michael off with a shriek and Fiona scoffed.

"Yes reasonable, Fi's right the clock is ticking. The longer we're idle in Cancun decreases our window of surprise and widens the space for Anson to be tipped off." Michael stopped Pearce from cutting him off with a look.

"But we also can't go in blind like Pearce's pointed out."

"What do you suggest we do then Mikey? We don't have any surveillance."

When going into enemy territory without surveillance one doesn't have the advantage of careful planning. No the only advantage you have is the element of surprise and this window shrinks the longer you're on the enemy's turf, so every minute counts and one mistake can cause you the mission.

"We split up into teams and converge from different directions; we will allow Anson to be tipped but no earlier than 5 minutes max." Michael spoke with confidence as he riddled off his plan.

Once the team had secured 2 cars from opposite of the Farmer's Market, they followed the road to a busy beach to go over the plan once more.

"We have to split up, one vehicle goes to Anson and the other goes to the docks. We already know Anson used a boat to come here."

"Good plan Mikey, but can we spare people? Anson's property is large and we don't know where he's keeping Sister and Morgan."

"It's a chance we'll have to take Sam, only 2 people need to be at the docks." Michael tilted his head to look at Fi.

"Don't look at me. I'm going to the house. Your Spanish is crap Michael." Fiona fired.

"We don't have time for arguing Tinkerbelle that means you listen to chain of command. We're all in this together, clear?" Sam stood his ground and they both locked their gaze on the other.

"Crystal" Fiona grumbled and the team nodded before moving as a unit to their cars.

*~*~BN~*~*

The sun was now shining high in the sky over the plantation, the heat becoming almost unbearable as Mark coached Morgan through the obstacle course. Her little feet pumped as she hop scotched through the tires, both her and Mark's shirts stuck to them from sweat but they didn't seem to care. As she finish they high fived and ran to the fence, Morgan grabbed the rope in her little hands but paused in trepidation as she gazed up. The fence now seemed a lot higher to the little girl, Mark tapped her shoulder and bended next to her. Sister Elizabeth moved closer to watch and assist Morgan if necessary.

"Hey, last step and then you win. Don't you want your prize?" Mark lifted Morgan's little chin so he can see into her eyes.

The child was nothing if not persistent; once she had gotten over her fear of Mark she had tackled the course like a storm. She had a rhythm, she did each exercise twice. First as a test run and second she did once she was sure and confidant. Mark hoped her parents came through, the girl was really special and he didn't want to see her hurt.

"I do, it looks high." Morgan lisped as she returned her gaze back to the fence.

"I'm right here to help." Mark guided her to the bowl beside the fence; he gently chalked her hands to ensure she didn't burn them on the rope.

"Ok, let's do it whenever you're ready." Mark topped her nose with chalk and was rewarded with a smile.

Morgan grabbed the rope and took a deep breath as she placed her feet carefully on the first board and pulled to hoist herself up. Mark hovered close to her side; Morgan made it almost halfway before dropping with a huff into Mark's waiting hands.

"I'm hot." Morgan whined and turned to face Sister who produced a water bottle. Morgan drank the remaining half thirstily before handed the empty bottle back to Sister.

"Shall we try again?" Mark asks teasingly and Morgan nodded.

Mark helped her to chalk her hands a second time before they restarted at the bottom. He couldn't help humming Mulan's Be a Man, as encouragement.

Quite some time later Morgan successfully hopped over the fence and grinned, she automatically began to dance and squeal. She flew into Sister's arms screaming "I did it, I did it!" Sister Elizabeth smiled and spun the girl around. Once her feet were planted firmly back on the ground she turned and jumped on Mark and hugged him tightly.

"We did it!" Mark smiled and nodded at her infectious grin.

"Where's my pwize?" She ask looking around earnestly.

Mark's chuckle wasn't heard because Anson's loud clapping rang through the field.

"Well done, I do say you're a determined one. Just like your daddy." Morgan cowered in Mark's arms and clutched his shoulders tightly. Anson just smirked at her.

"Nothing wrong with a little fear. It's time we get going."

"Where are we going?" Sister Elizabeth asks. Anson looked at her dismissively

"I thought you would've been happy to leave. Just enjoy your vacation Sister. Mark the vest." Anson gestured to the lumpy blanket no one noticed before behind the slated fence.

Mark nodded before heading to it, he hummed lowly to calm Morgan.

"Let's get your prize, you've earned it." Morgan looked at him dubiously.

Under the blanket was a child's vest with an added feature – wired explosives. Sister Elizabeth quickly noticed and screamed out, but Anson restrained her. Morgan turned frighten but Mark continued to hum.

"Let's not frighten the child Sister, she's only wearing it as a precaution until we're in open water." Sister began to pray as she watched Mark button up the vest.

"There perfect fit." He raised his hand for Morgan to give him a high five but she hesitated, she didn't understand why Sister was upset.

"Sistew look! It's ok." Sister couldn't hold her sob back, Anson roughly patted her back as a fake consolation.

"That's right Morgan, you are ok."

*~*BN*~*

"Anson's plantation is just on the next road." Sam pointed to his left, they were at a stoplight waiting for their turn.

Just as the Left turn light switched to yellow, a gray Escalade shot passed them, the tinted windows weren't rolled all the way up. Anson sat in the driver seat along with a middle age woman. They all collectively swore.

"Sam!"

"Got it!" Sam quickly turned the car around to follow Anson, there were at least 3 cars between them.

Fiona fiddled with her purse, pulling out her gun.

"Mikey!" Sam shouted. Michael turned to see Fiona with the gun.

"Not yet Fi, too much people." Michael told her firmly as he dialled Jesse

"Stay with them Sam! If you lose them, I'll shoot ya!" Fiona growled.

Of course Sam believed her, she was psycho. He also wouldn't put it pass Mikey to shoot him as well, he had a look in his eye. He continued to drive keeping Anson's ride in sight.


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