Chapter Eight

John had made it to Statesville in record time, only a half hour but it still wasnt enough time, he was a frantic mess and he was sure it was showing on the outside, he was scared to death for natalie, the idea of what Mitch could be doing to her right now and what he could do was haunting him as he quickly made his way inside, he would have to play this cool, he knew that and he walked up to one of the guards..

"can i help you" the guard asked as John pulled out his badge and showed it to the man..

"agent John McBain, i need to see one of your prisoners" he began as the guard looked at the badge then him, John remained as calm as he could..

"Do you have an appointment" the guard asked and john didnt have time for this..

"Listen i just need to see someone" he said with frustration..

"well you need to make an appointment then" the guard said with a shrug of his shoulders...

"listen i dont have time for this" John began to raise his voice..

"is that who i think it is" another voice called out and John turned his head to see a very familair face, his name was Brody Lovette, he had known him from his military days, it had been a long time but brody still looked the same.."Holy shit is it, John Mcbain" Brody said as he came over..

"hey Brody, you work here?" John asked quickly..

"yeah, long time no see buddy, whatcha been up to these days" Brody shook his hand as the other guard walked away.

"FBI" John began as Brody laughed..

"No shit man, i would of never guessed, what the hell brings you around here" brody began to make small talk, John didnt have time for this, he looked at his watch, only 2 hours and 15 minutes left.."wow what happened to your leg" Brody began as he looked at John..

"Long story but hey listen i dont mean to be rude, i would love to catch up but i need to see someone here, Walker Lawrence" John began..

"ah shit man were gonna fry him in a few days and good riddens" Brody laughed..

"yeah i know, is there anyway i can see him, just for a few minutes" John began.

"I really shouldnt but hell, why not, whatcha gotta say to the asshole anyways" Brody began..

"its confidential" John lied..

"ah i see, damn it i should of joined the FBI, im sure its way better than this" Brody said with a smile..

"Im on limited time and its very important, can i see him" John said quickly and Brody nodded..

"sure but i want to have a beer one of these days, catch up on things" brody smiled..

"sure, beers sound good" John looked at his watch again..

"alright come with me" brody began to walk him to the security locked double doors..

"hey no one is allowed to go without an appointment" the other guard yelled as he ran over to them...

"Oh fuck off Charles this is a friend of mine" Brody said with a smile..

"yeah well its your ass if anything happens" the guard said as brody shook his head and laughed..

Natalie sat in the room alone now , Mitch had left after taunting her repeatedly, she tried to calm herself down as much as she could, she knew that freaking out wouldnt help her in this situation, she had to think of a way out of here, she had to get these cuffs off, and then she remembered she had a bobby pin in her hair but her hands were handcuffed behind her,she tried to think and then she began shaking her head violently as her hair flew around and with a tiny clink the bobby pin fell out, she quickly scooted herself across the floor and grabbed it..

John paced the small room that Brody had put him in, time seem to be moving too fast, he heard the door open and he looked to it, Brody came walking in with a handcuffed Walker Lawrence, the man looked like shit, he almost had a full beard going on, his hair was getting long and untamed, he smiled at John as if he knew what John was planning..

John walked up to Brody who was beginning to ramble on some more, John grabbed the back of Walkers shirt and spun him around...Brody looked at him as he did so.."you know i could get in trouble if you kick his ass" he began to say as John pulled out a gun and held it on Walker.."woooo hold up... what the hell are you doing" Brody said with shock in his voice..

"Im leaving and im taking Walker with me" John said seriously..

"No way man, i cant let you do that" Brody went to reach for his gun, John put the gun on him now..

"dont make me do it Brody, ok...but i need you to take out your gun and tossed it, i will shoot you if i have to"

"Oh man John this is fucked up,...why you doing this" Brody said as he looked at John and then slowly pulled out his gun and tossed it..

"i have my reasons, now help me get out of here" John stated firmly..."Im not asking, im telling" he said with a deadly serious tone...

"ahhh fuck John...shit...im gonna be in so much trouble" Brody said as he shook his head..

Natalie fidgeted with the bobby pin, she had seen this done on tv but never tried it before, oddly it seemed easier on tv, she pushed the bobby pin into the hole in the cuff and moved it around, the sound of the door being opened stopped her and shoved the bobby pin in her back pocket as Mitch walked in she scooted back against the wall as he walked over to her and smiled..

"You know this really is a shame, i think you and my son would of made a great couple" he began to say as she just looked at him, glared really.."but then again you are just like the rest of the damn Buchanan's, you just cant help but put your noses where they dont belong" he snarled at her.."you know your buddy John is the same way, he just cant help but stick his nose into everyones business but then again thats what got his wife killed and well, it will ultimately get you killed" he smiled as he knelt down to her.."its funny though how fate works, one day your on the top of your game and the next your cop boyfriend is tossing you out like last nights trash but then you find John, poor little memory gone John, hell you snatched him up quick, you just cant bear the thought of being alone can you" he touched her face and she cringed, the idea that he had been following her around was creepy enough but what did he want with John, he had nothing to do with this and Mitch kept mentioning his wife, natalie was beyond confused, she had seen his wife.."oh well such is life and it will kill me to take such a beautiful girl from this world but hey you hate your life anyways so i will be doing you a favor" he laughed as he tapped her face a few times and she tried to yell at him..

John walked slowly while dragging Walker next to him, he had a gun to brody's back..They made their way to the same double doors they came in at.."You dont have to do this John"

"stop talking and keep going, time is running out" John said sternly...

"Oh thats an understatement" Walker laughed..

"You shut up" John snapped at Walker who just laughed..

Brody slowly opened the doors but the other guard was standing there, he immediately saw the situation and went to grab his gun.."do it and i kill him on the spot" John threatened him as he moved the gun to Brody's head..

"damn it man i told you!" the guy barked at brody..

"Listen just do what he says ok" Brody said quickly as John pushed the gun into his temple..

"ok ok..." the guard put his hands up...

"Toss your gun over here, slowly" John ordered, the guard did just that.."Now on your stomach, facing the wall, any quick moves and i blow his brains out" the guard moved onto the floor..

John knew it was now or never, the place was swarming with prison guards, it just so happened to be a shift change and light at the moment but he knew it would change at any second, it pushed brody by the door and opened it..

"No sudden moves, i mean it" he warned Brody..

"ok i got it man, you dont have to be so rough" Brody sighed heavily, John they would have to make a run for it, he couldnt just walk out with a prisoner in tow, especially one this infamous..

"On the ground, cover your head" John said as he shoved Brody against the wall.."Just do it Brody!" he yelled and Brody dropped to the ground, he looked at Walker.."Now we run" he said quickly and as he opened the door he ran, dragging Walker behind him, his casted leg shot shooting pains all the way to his chest as he ran, the pain was almost unbearable, he could hear cars coming from around the corner, he pushed Walker into the passenger seat as he jumped in as well."keep your head down till were out of here" he said with his heart racing, he literally just broke a mass murderer out of prison, this was turning out to be one hell of a day!

Mitch stayed in the room for a few more minutes of taunting and then he left, Natalie immediately began working on the cuffs again, her mind was racing with thoughts of why Mitch wanted John, he was just a car salesman, nothing more and his wife was very much alive, natalie had seen her but then her mind raced to Johns dream of the woman tied up, the blonde one, had that some how been his wife and had Mitch been involved in tying her up, the click of the cuffs snapped her from her thoughts as she freed her wrists and immediately pulled the tape from her sore lips, she sucked in a deep breath and then started on her ankle cuffs, she knew she had to move fast, he would be back soon and she needed to have a plan..

John drove out of statesville oddly without anyone giving him a second glance, he pulled onto the highway and began to drive.."wheres your father" he barked at Walker who looked way too amused in all of this..

"Oh im sure he will call agent mcbain" Walker grinned..."I heard he has something you want or shall i say someone, she's definitely an upgrade from the last one" Walker began with a laugh and John reached over quickly and began to choke him out..

"if he does anything to her i will tear you apart with my bare hands" John snapped at him and then quickly let go as Walker began coughing violently..

"if you kill me he will kill her" he spoke as he coughed, the sound of Johns phone ringing made him stop speaking..."right on time" he grinned...

John quickly answered his phone.."i take it you got my boy out in one piece"

"Hey dad!" Walker laughed and John looked at him warningly..

"Ah my son, good job John, im impressed but then again i knew if anyone could pull this off it would be you, may i ask did you have to kill anyone?" he said with amusement..

"where are you" John demanded as he ignored to play Mitch's games..

"you sound a little frantic John, a deal is a deal" Mitch began..."how about we take a trip down memory lane, i dont think you will get lost" Mitch said as he hung up...

"memory lane" John said then he looked at Walker.."what the hell does your father mean memory lane" John yelled at the man and then it hit him as he quickly did a u turn, speeding down the highway, heading for a place that held memories, bad ones, a bunch of abandon warehouses right outside of Pennsylvania, the place he had held caitlin...

Natalie quickly moved around the empty room the only window was barred up and too high for her to reach and of course the door was locked, she was trapped in there..

"so i lost the bet you know" Walker began to talk, John ignored him and drove,he knew it wouldnt be long before he was a wanted man and every police officer would be on the look out for him.."i told my dad that you would never get over Cait's death" he began and John looked at him and quickly pulled his gun, aiming it at his head..

"say her name again, i dare you" John barked at him...

"geez still a sensitive subject maybe i was wrong" Walker grinned..

"shut the fuck up, just cause your father wants you alive doesnt mean i cant beat you till your bleeding out of your eyes and ears" John threatened him and Walker seem to look a bit scared..

"Im just trying to make conversation" Walker spit out..

"well i advise against that" John said through gritted teeth and Walker sighed as he looked out the window..

"you could atleast take these cuffs off" Walker said low, John ignored him and continued to drive, his mind on Caitlin and on Natalie, he wouldnt have a repeat, he couldnt, he would die first..

Bo had been a nervous wreck all day, he knew what was going to be happening shortly and in his own damn town, he decided to drive by the motel and see how things were shaping up, he hated that the feds were on his territory but he also knew Mitch Lawrence way too well and if this is what needed to be done to get him off the streets then so be it, he had made his way to motel room number 5, it was quiet, almost too quiet as he went to knock but the door opened some..

"hello anyone here" he said as he entered but then he immediately saw Evangeline handcuffed to a radiator and her mouth taped shut, he ran to her.."what the hell" he said as he tore off the tape and she winced.."who did this, where is john" he spoke frantically as Evangeline tried to regain her breathing, she had tired herself by trying to break the dame radiator but to no avail..

"John...he's... he has her" she began to say but made no since as Bo looked at her, just then is phone rang he answered it immediately and his eyes got wide as he heard there was a break out at statesville..

"who?" he said angrily.."what? Your fucking kidding me" he yelled and then looked at Evangeline who was catching her breath.."what the hell is he doing!" he yelled at her..

"Mitch has Natalie, he wants to do an exchange" she finally spoke and Bo literally felt all the blood run out of his face as he stood there..

Natalie searched that entire room and found absolutely nothing, she was panicking now as she tried to jump up and latch onto the window, she couldnt stay in there, Mitch would kill her if he went in there and then her worst fear came to life, she heard the door knob turn and she ran to the side of the door, holding her breath and bracing herself..

"Honey im home" Mitch laughed as he opened the door and stepped in, he immediately saw the handcuffs on the ground and before he could react Natalie was shoving him hard in the back as he fell to the ground and she ran out the door, slamming it shut as she took off running through the dark warehouse...

Natalie could barely see in front of herself as she ran but she could hear Mitch yelling for her, mocking her that once he caught her he would kill her, she ignored his yells as she ran, this place was huge, it has to be some sort of abadoned building she told herself as she looked for a way out, all windows were boarded up and she kept running, fear got the best of her and she darted behind a large cement column, out of breath and not sure if she was running in damn circles..

John made his way through the old run down road, it use to hold alot of factories, mainly car ones but now it was deserted, he felt a chill up his spine as he drove, he had made this drive before but that ending was far more tragic then he would allow this one to be, he quickly pulled up to the warehouse, the same one from before..

"i think we made it here in record time John, you should invest in race car driving" Walker laughed and John held the gun on him..

"you dont go until i get her, understand" he said as he glared at this man..

"yeah yeah, are you always this uptight" Walker said with a shake of his head..

"get out and shut up" John said as he got out of the car and hobbled his way to the passenger side, he was definitely sure by this point that he dislocated his knee, the pain was becoming more and more severe but he carried on and pulled Walker from the car, jamming the gun in his back.."games over Mitch" John yelled loud and it echoed through the deserted buildings..

Natalie was holding her breath when she heard the familiar voice, she felt a rush of relief as she stood there, he had found her, John was there but she could also still hear Mitch moving around but she made a last minute decision, she would make one more run for it, she would find a door, somewhere and so she took off running...

"You cant run and hide from me natalie, you'll be dead before John even lays eyes on you" Mitch yelled and it echoed, John had heard it too, he immediately stiffened, so did Walker as John cocked his gun back...

A gunshot when off and Natalie almost fell to the ground, and then yelling was heard."Man you shot me, you fucking shot me" Walker yelled as John looked at the wound on his leg..

"Im not playing Mitch, next time i wont miss!" John yelled, by the way Mitch was yelling he knew Natalie had broken free, she was somewhere in the building, most likely hiding, he wanted it to stay that way but he also knew that if Mitch wanted his son he would have to come get him..

"ahhh agent you really think you have the upper hand dont you!" mitch yelled in anger..natalie leaned against a wall, confusion running through her, agent what the hell did that mean..

"we had a deal, i held up my end of the bargain" John yelled.."but i have a feeling that natalie got away from you, so what will stop me from killig yoru son right here and right now" he yelled loud, natalie felt her heart race as she sat there, she could hear foot steps and then she saw a shadow literally walk right in front of her, it was Mitch and he hadnt seen her..

"Oh what is this an eye for an eye, come on agent lets not let this get personal!" mitch yelled.."If i hadnt put her out of her misery then you would of never met the fair buchanan, you should THANK ME!" Mitch yelled in anger and frustration..

Another shot rang off and this time a scream was heard, followed by crying.."i can keep shooting" John yelled out as Walker dropped to the ground, both legs wounded badly and bleeding...

"dad please just stop, give him what he wants im gonna die out here" walker cried out in pain..

"i think you should listen to your son, i have alot more bullets left" John yelled.."Just come out here slowly and put your hands where i can see them" John yelled..

"what makes me believe you wont kill me on sight, the girl already took off running, you know that" Mitch yelled out, he had a hint of fear to his voice...

"cause im not a murderer Mitch!" John yelled.."But your son is bleeding bad, he may lose a leg" John called out..

"fine, fine, you win" Mitch yelled as a door opened and natalie saw the light from the parking lot come in and she saw Mitch's shadow walk out, she quietly ran up to it...Mitch put his hands in the air.."you got me agent" he said as John stared at him, aiming his gun, he had taken his eyes off of walker for a second but it was enough time for the guy to take his fist and slam it into John leg, hard enough to send him falling to the ground yelling as his gun went flying, Mitch began running over immediately as John rolled in pain, he heard his leg snap again and he could barely breath with the pain shooting in his leg..

Natalie heard him yell out in pain and she ran to the door and outside into the night but Mitch was faster, he was at his sons side and he had a gun on John..

"I dont think so sweetheart" he yelled at Natalie as she skidded to a stop..

"natalie no!" John yelled out as she froze there..

"now who is the one with the control, HUH!" Mitch yelled as he got up from his son and he walked over to John, kicking his casted leg as John yelled out..

"stop it please!" natalie yelled out in horror...

"aww so sweet" Mitch laughed..."why dont yu move your ass over here, slowly before i put a bullet between his eyes"

"ok ok" Natalie began to move slowly.."just dont hurt him"

John laid on the ground, feeling completely helpless, he knew this would end bad and then he saw Natalie walking over by him..

"on the ground, NOW!" he yelled at her and she looked at John and mouthed an 'Im sorry' to him as she got on the ground a few feet away from him, the pain in his face looked unimaginable, she could barely look at him..

"My legs dad, im losing alot of blood" Walker began to cry out as Mitch looked at him..

"we'll get you fixed up son, i promise" he kept the gun on John and Natalie eyed the gun a few feet away, John saw her look at it and he shook his head but her eyes said she was going for it..."your gonna pay John for doing this to my boy" Mitch barked at John.."get up, NOW!" he yelled at John...

"he can barely move" natalie cried out to Mitch..

"you shut the fuck up, you split my fucking lip, i should split your fucking head open" Mitch yelled at her as john tried to get up, tears stung his eyes as he pulled himself up, he couldnt even put weight on his leg, he literally was seeing stars.."Now walk" Mitch yelled as John looked at natalie, she was crying now as she saw him move in pain, every step he took it felt as though his leg would literally fall off of him..

"Just kill him dad, just fucking do it" Walker yelled and he moved his eyes from John to his son, Natalie took the opportunity to jump for the gun, it all happened so fast as John Mitch sprung his head around, his eyes wide as he saw her go for the gun , he aimed for her and John literally jumped in his way and then fell towards Mitch as the gun in his hand got knocked out, natalie watched in horror as the men hell to the ground, she grabbed the gun and ran up to them, they were struggling and she shot into the air, John moved from Mitch as Natalie stood over him..

"ok ok you win sweetheart, i give up" Mitch said with his hands up in the air, John was now panting and gasping as he laid on the ground, she stood pointing the gun at Mitch, her hands shaking she wanted to kill him, the sound of police cars filled the air and within seconds lights were flashing as police cruisers pulled up..

"put the gun down" a police officer yelled into a speaker phone and she tossed it aside as cops came running over...

"On the ground one of them yelled at her" and she did just that as she cried..

"she's with me... FBI agent John Mcbain" john finally yelled out as he tossed his badge in the road, natalie's eyes got wide as she looked at him, he was an FBI agent..

The local police looked at Mitch and Walker on the ground, the seemed amazed at the sight..."holy shit you know who this is, dont you" they said to one another, they began handcuffing the two notrorious men as some officers came over to Natalie and John now, apologizing to her as they helped her up , they began working on John, she moved over to him and thats when she saw it, blood on his shirt, he had been shot..

"oh my god john, your shot" she said with fear as she knelt down to him..

"its ok, just a scratch" he said said with a heavy breath as he looked at her..

She knew he was lying, he was trying to keep her calm but it was too late, she began to cry as she looked at him.."hey look at me " he said low as he reached his hand up and touched her face as she cried.."if i can get hit by a car im sure i can survive a bullet wound" he forced himself to smile..

She put her head onto his chest as he put his arm around her..."shhh its gonna be fine, i promise" he said low as she held onto him..

"i am so sorry about all of this, im so sorry" she said with overwhelming guilt, if he hadnt come looking for her then none of this would of happened.."John i love you" she said as she picked her head up to look at him but his eyes were closed, he had stopped breathing.."No john! Someone help us!" she screamed out...

Chapter Nine..

It was touch and go at the hospital and Natalie was pacing nervously, they had revived him twice before he had even got to the hospital and then the blood, she had not seen so much blood before in her life, he was in surgery and she stood by the window looking out, he had to be ok, he just had to..

Gigi and Rex sat on the nearby couch as well as her parents, including her uncle Bo who had been checking in with the feds, Mitch was incarcerated and his son Walker would soon be, he had been rushed to the hospital as well and now resting comfortably until his transport came and shipped him back to statesville..

Her family had nothing but respect for John now, he not only risked his life twice to save her but he kept her out of harms way, needless to say he was a hero in their eyes..

She felt a hand come down on her arm and she looked to see cris standing there.."how are you doing" he asked softly and she shrugged her shoulders not wanting to talk in fear of crying again.."i was wrong about him" he said honestly and now she looked at him, tears filling her eyes, he pulled her close to him and allowed her to cry into his chest even if it was for another man..

It was almost an hour before the doctor came in, Natalie was curled up on a chair next to Gigi and Rex, the sound of him walking in made everyone sit up in their chairs..For a second he didnt say anything and natalie thought her heart would crumble but then he smiledand nodded his head.."the surgery was a success, he is recovering and awake" natalie was already on her feet as she stood there looking at the doctor, she began to cry happy tears.."he is asking for you" he said as he looked at nataloie and she had never felt so nervous in her life, she had to look at her family and friends, they had tears too, they nodded for her to go ahead..

The walk to his room seem to take forever and she was honestly scared to death to see him as they neared the door, the doctor gave her a final smile and she took a deep breath and opened the door, he was slightly leaning up in bed, he smiled as she opened the door..

"hey" he said low..

"hey" she responded as she came in and closed the door..

"you know i am starting to think you should come with a warning" he grinned some and she let out a little laugh as some tears began to fall.."was the joke that bad?"

"No" she shook her head as she wiped her face.."its just really...really good to see you"

"ah come on its gonna take more than one bullet to put me down" he grinned as he waved her over and she moved slowly towards him..She glanced at his newly casted leg.."i dont think i am ever gonna get this damn thing off, the doc says i need to use a wheelchair until its healed, its like he doesnt trust me or something" he said with a cute grin..

"well it is the second time he had to fix your leg" she smiled as she walked next to him, he put his hand out to her and she took her shaky hand and put it in his..

"well atleast i still got my memory" he smiled as he held her hand..

"yeah thats a good thing" she felt the tears welling up again.."and your an FBI agent"

"yeah about that" he began to say and she shook her head..

"i dont need an explanation, i understand, completely" she said honestly as tears streamed down her face and she smiled..

He reached his hand up and wiped some of her tears away.."you know your amazing" he began and she shook her head..

"You dont have to do this, really" she said quickly and he rolled his eyes..

"well if you would let me talk, this is definitely something were gonna have to work on" he smiled and she swallowed the lump in her throat, she wasnt sure if he was saying what she thought he was saying, she didnt speak, she couldnt.."Like i said i think your amazing, beautiful and one of the best people i know" his words had her eyes filling up with tears.."ive almost been killed twice in less than a week, might be a record of sorts" he grinned.."and both times it was trying to save you, so i have decided what i need to do is just keep you close, i mean hell its safer than the alternative" she was crying now as she looked at him..."are those happy tears?"

"yes... " she cried as she put her head on his chest and he pushed her hair back and held her against him..

"now i am thinking that a sponge bath may be in order" he smiled and she picked her head up and looked at him, she smirked some..

"I think i definitely may be able to help" she said with a smile..

"then its a deal" he grinned as he leaned down and kissed her lips softly, she moved up on him more, deepening the kiss...

And they lived happily ever after...

Thanks Ya'll...yay i finished one, THE END!