Title: A Criminal Mind
Chapter 9 - Trust is a Valuable Commodity
"Damn it!" I curse angrily as I try to push myself upright as Colin rushes toward me with a needle in his hand and my adrenaline starts to surge. Flashes of being kept prisoner by him start to seize me and I know I'm not going anywhere without a fight.
"Told you I'd always be able to find you!" Colin offers in haste as he lunges at me with the needle ready. However, I manage to twist myself around and the tip of the needle breaks in the bed covers. I roll off the bed and land on the floor as Colin grabs a handful of t-shirt and yanks me back. I lose my footing and fall backward but land on the bed instead of the floor.
"John you are coming with me!" Colin growls.
"Never..." I huff as I pull myself free. I start for the door just as Colin charges at me, taking us both to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. He punches me in the side but I counter and kick him right back.
"Ah got some fight back did you?" Colin states in anger. "Pity for you."
"Go to...hell!" I huff in anger as I pull myself out of his grasp and try to get back up. Colin grabs my pant leg and pulls back, forcing me to fall backward and slam into the bedroom door before crashing to the floor.
"Fine we'll do this the hard way!" Colin snaps as he pulls his gun and aims it at me. He cocks the trigger but I kick at him once more and he staggers backward. I don't care if I'm shot, I am not going with him. I push myself back up and lunge at him, taking us back into the wall. He hits my side again and I cry out in pain as his fist hits my tender ribs.
Colin tries to his my head but I quickly pull back and he hits the wall, cursing angrily and glaring at me in hatred.
"You will pay for what you did to me!"
"What did I do?" I demand, my face flushed and my heart racing. "Who the hell are you?"
Colin cocks the trigger again but just as he's about to take a shot we finally hear the elevator being called to the main floor; Stella is coming back.
"Damn that woman!" Colin curses.
"She's going to kick your ass!"
"I will be back for you!" Colin growls as he hits me hard in the jaw.
"Like...hell..." I reply as I drop my shoulder and slam myself into him and he stumbles backward. He quickly counters and hits me hard in the stomach once more, forcing me to offer a painful gasp and falter. Another painful blow to my tender mid-section and I'm on my knees.
"Ste--lla!" I call out as the elevator doors open.
"I found you once and I'll be back. You'll never be safe!" He shouts as he pushes me to the floor and turns to leave, my heart racing and my breathing labored.
"Did she do this to me on purpose?" I spit in anger as I offer a wince of pain from the hits to my tender stomach.
XXXXXXXX
"STELLA!" I hear my voice being called by Mac as I emerge from the elevator. I see a man rushing toward the stairs and I go into full blown panic mode as I spy my open apartment door. The man turns and looks at me and I realize he's the same man that was talking to Mac earlier this morning.
"Stop!" I yell at Colin as I race after him. "Mac, stay there!"
Colin pushes the emergency door open just as I reach him and grab his jacket. He swings around and offers a hit to my stomach and I fall back. I push myself back up and race down the stairs, calling Flack along the way. Since Flack just left he's able to easily swing his cruiser back around, checking the front before heading toward the back. But as soon as I reach the alleyway, Mac's attacker is gone and I'm alone. I curse myself in anger as I remembered Mac's attacker had a gun.
"Flack check the street, I'm going to see how Mac is."
I race back upstairs and rush into my apartment and see Mac doubled over in the doorway to the bedroom; his face flushed as he looks up at me in heated anger.
"He was just here!" He practically shouts; his voice hoarse and I'm sure his heart racing.
"Mac I..."
"Damn that bastard!" He curses as I head back to the front door to lock it; Flack calling me.
"Anything?"
"Sorry Stella, nothing. He's gone. Sorry."
"Don, for him to take a chance like that and come for Mac means he's desperate and will now do anything to take his revenge. He was obviously watching and then thought I was going to leave with you and decided to make his move. Damn it! I nearly offered Mac to him willingly. The two officers outside where they here to watch Mac?"
"No, it was just an odd coincidence. Is Mac okay?"
"Besides being pissed?" I huff with an ethnic curse and Flack smirks.
"Typical Mac," Flack huffs.
"Yeah great."
"I'll get a man on him right now," Flack tells me as he hangs up. I feel my heart starting to beat faster as I close the front door and lock it and then slowly head into the bedroom; pausing against the frame and looking at him in anguish.
"Mac, I'm sorry."
"Like hell!" He shouts; standing up but not making a move toward me, eyeing my gun. "At least if you were going to just offer me to that bastard you could have told me; given me a better fighting chance."
"Did he hurt you?"
"YES!"
"Mac..."
"Why don't you just shoot me now and leave me for him!" He demands and I quickly put my gun away, not even realizing it was pointed at him.
"Oh sorry! First of all I am not going to ever shoot you! And secondly, I didn't know he was this close. I'm sorry. Trust me; I wouldn't have left you alone if I had known I'd be taking a chance with your life."
"I'm sick of a babysitter! Now I am going to go!" He snaps in anger.
"Did he hurt you?"
"Yes. Do you care?"
"Mac, of course I care."
"And did you know he was outside?"
"Goodness no," I offer in haste. "Mac..."
"I don't need your help!"
"Did he touch you?"
"He had gloves! Now get out of my way and let me leave this place. I'll find my own damn answers!"
"Mac you are not going anywhere alone. Not with him this close."
"Hell of a lot of good being safe in my own home did me!"
"Can you please stop yelling?"
"Stella..."
"If you calm down we'll do this together," I offer and he just turns away in a heated fit. "Okay then," I tell him as I start to inspect the area around the bed; having checked the entranceway already for anything out of place. I find a few hairs and then look back up at Mac.
"He was wearing a damn wig!"
"Ready to calm down?"
"No," he huffs. "I'm still mad!"
"Fine," I shrug as I turn to leave.
"STELLA!" He shouts and I quickly turn back.
"Can you just sit down and listen to me?" I ask and he finally does. "Now why on earth are you shouting? I'm not going to hurt you but I'm not going to just let you go so you can storm out of here in a heated fit and walk right into his trap! That's what he wants and I'm not going to give it to him!" I tell him firmly as I walk closer to the bed. "Now I know you probably don't believe me right now, but I do care about you, more than I can probably admit and while it's hard to see you like this, it's harder still to know that he's this close to taking you away from me again and I won't let that happen. So if you have to stay in this room all day to ensure I know where you are, then so be it. But since I don't want you to suffer, I'll make you a deal," I tell him and his eyes look at mine with frustration in them.
"I want answers!"
"I know you do. I do too. Mac I can't imagine your frustration but believe me I know it must be killing you. But we will get through this."
I look at him with a frown but really can't berate him for being this worked up and agitated, nor can I fault him for being mad at me and himself.
"You lay there and rest, and I mean actually sleep for an hour or so and when you wake up and if you feel up to it, we'll go to the lab and then go from there. But no more yelling or cursing," I tell him firmly.
"But..."
"Please Mac, I just want to help you," I tell him with watery eyes. "But you look like hell right now and I can tell you're in pain."
"Fine," he offers in remorse.
"Do we have a deal?"
He looks at me and ponders my question before finally nodding his head yes and offering a heavy sigh as he eases himself back on the bed, looking up at me with a frown. I gently push him back onto the pillow and pull a cover over him. He turns onto his side, his back to me, showing his angry defiance and I offer a heavy sigh as I turn him back.
"I did fight back. I wasn't going willingly with him this time not matter what."
"Mac you are a strong man, I told you you'd be able to fight back on your own. But I'm sorry that he hurt you."
"Did he hurt you?" Mac asks me in misery, finally turning back to me with torment in his blue eyes.
"Much like yourself I take a lickin' and keep on tickin'," I reply and he finally rewards me with a soft smile. I gently touch his face and he holds my hand captive against his face.
"Mac, I can't lose you again," I whisper in sorry.
"Stella, I'm sorry."
"Mac, do you want my help?"
"Yes, only you. Please don't leave me to face this alone."
"I wasn't going to."
"But..."
"Mac, I gave you the choice so you could feel in control, but if you had said yes, I wouldn't have been very far."
"Thank you."
"Please just rest now."
I finally leave him to rest and head into the living room and call Danny.
"Well I found some dark hairs but Mac said he was wearing a wig. But if he was here he might have dropped a hair or something and while there is not a lot of traffic in this area I need it worked on. Maybe we'll catch a break."
"I'm on it," Danny tells me as I hang up.
About half hour of my useless pacing I slowly head back to the bedroom and expect to find Mac awake; but I am rewarded with him finally asleep, his dark lashes framing his tired eyes and I offer a smile. I very quietly make my way into the bedroom and sit down beside him, tenderly stroking his face. His body slightly tenses as he curls onto his side once more, but thankfully he doesn't wake up. I very carefully push myself into bed with him and allow his arms to instinctively wrap around me, holding me close, his warm breath ticking my ear.
Oh Mac, I'm so sorry, I lament inside as he angrily mumbles in his sleep. I stare at the space before me with tired watery eyes as his arms tighten around me; once again afraid to let go as he'll be taken someplace he hates more than anything, a dark, cold prison with no memory of who he is or why he's being treated the way he is.
Finally after trying to fight sleep for about ten minutes, I allow my eyes to close and am taken into the dark realm of tormented dreams and twisted nightmares.
XXXXXXXX
~Colin Morris~
I tear off my latest disguise in anger; anger mostly at myself for messing up as I did.
That woman is really starting to get on my nerves. In truth, it was an impulse act to take Taylor like that; my revenge taking over my usually rash intellect and offering me a short term solution. I didn't expect anything other than to scare him and I'm hoping that succeeded; hopefully causing tension, strife and mistrust between him and Bonasera. If that worked then I'm a happy man.
I slowly drive my truck back into the busy traffic, away from Taylor's residence but not too far as I'll be back to see what he has planned for the day. I need the cover of darkness as that is where evil best conducts its business. And as I slowly loop back for my target's abode, I allow my mind to dwell on my next plan of attack.
XXXXXXXX
I slowly pull myself from sleep to see that my arms are wrapped around Stella's soft body and I offer a frown as I gaze upon her beautiful face. Despite the fact that I yelled at her and basically lost her trust, she's still here with me, not afraid to get close and that makes me happy and sad at the same time. I don't deserve her help and yet at the same time I know I would be lost without it. What is she not telling me about our relationship? Is there something more to it than just caring for her? Do I love her? Why wouldnt she tell me that? And why dont I remember being married?
I watch her face crunch into a frown and her perfect lips offer something in anger and I curse myself for being the cause of her anxiety. I gently roll onto my back and she moves herself with me, her head resting on my good shoulder and her arm draped over my stomach, her hair ticking my neck and arm. I can't help but offer a small smile as her body just feels so good pressed up against mine. She didn't admit that we had sex and I can't help but wonder if we did; since holding her just feels right and she isn't afraid to sleep next to me without asking.
My eyes once again look around my room and finally fix themselves on the closet and for a brief moment I see myself getting dressed in a suit. I offer a frown but once again my quiet audience is quick to pick up even the smallest facial expression.
"Did you remember something?"
"Do I normally wear a suit to work?" I lightly ask, looking down at her with a frown.
"Almost every day, minus the tie," she smiles and I feel myself at ease for the first time in hours.
"I'm sorry I yelled earlier," I admit to her and she moves herself so she's propped up on a pillow looking at me, playing with the side of my face, ticking my sensitive skin with her fingernail. I feel small shivers sent down my spine but can't bring myself to ask her to stop.
"After having him in here and me leaving you at his mercy; trust me if you had done that to me I would have thrown you out the window," she replies and I offer a small smile. "Did he hurt you?"
"Just surprised to see him standing there instead of you," I huff. "Panic seized me but I was able to rebound and get some hits in and he didn't hit my head. I'm sure if he didn't have a gun I would have taken him."
"I know you would have."
"Am I a good fighter?" I ask in wonder. "I mean when I was a Marine I'm sure I was but now as a CSI...before I lost my memory, can I still fight well?"
"Mac, you could probably kill a man with your bare hands," she tells me and I seem to gain strength from those few words. She gently lifts my sweater and looks the hit marks to my tender ribs before looking up at me in sorrow.
"It's okay," I tell her in haste. She gently touches my face and offers a slight frown as I find myself drowning in the two green pools before me. I hold Stella in my arms while she makes small talk about what I can expect when we go into the lab and by the time she's finished, my anger has all but subsided.
However as we head toward the lab my anxiety is high once again and my fists haven't unwrapped themselves as I sit nervously in the front seat of the truck. My eyes dart around; once again trying to see if anything is familiar. We reach the lab and enter the parking lot and I'm almost afraid to get out. However, I'll never mention that to the woman beside me so I just force myself outside and swallow my frustration. Stella nods hello to a few people but thankfully for me doesnt stop to talk to everyone; she had already assured me that everyone was only told I was in a bad car accident the night of the storm, which is why I look the way I do and only the core team knows the truth about my memory. Now if only I could remember who my core team is.
"I am in charge of all of this?"
We take a few more steps and then I pause as we finally reach my office. I look at Stella and she just smiles. "That's right, it's all yours. Well all ours, while you do hold the title of Boss, we both co-lead. So I report to you but others report to us."
"Pardon?" I question and she lightly laughs.
I head inside and just stand looking at all the vast amount of items before my eyes. If I thought my brain hurt trying to take in all the items at home; this place seems far worse and I almost feel intimidated.
"Take your time Mac," Stella tells me as Adam walks up to us. I turn around and offer a smile to the young man before me.
"Adam," he tells me before I can ask and I feel my tension starting to slightly abate. "Big Mac, I'm your Lab Tech and computer expert."
"Thank you for helping me," I offer in a hushed tone.
"You are most welcome! This is for you," Adam informs me; handing me a new black berry. "So when you can't find your way you just press this button," he instructs and Stella's name pops up and her phone starts to ring.
"My lifeline," I whisper as I look up at her Stella with a smile.
"In more ways than one," Adam offers before he quietly takes his leave.
"For some reason when I see his face all I can picture is a cartoon like character," I frown. "Does that mean anything?"
"Well you two did work very closely on a virtual reality case. A real first for you," she replies. "See, it'll come back Mac. Everything will be fine. So I'm just going to do a few things," she says sitting down at my desk. "And you just take your time looking at everything, and dont feel like a burden if you ask a million questions."
"Okay," I agree in a hushed tone. My eyes shift around from the people in the hallway doing their normal routine to Stella at my desk offering glances every few minutes; to asking questions about everything that is covering my walls and desk.
XXXXXXXX
I don't envy Mac the task of trying to remember the complex person he is and I know the more things he tries to remember and can't, he'll end up getting more frustrated and as I suspect an hour into his investigation he finally heads over to the small leather couch against the cool glass and slumps down in a huff.
He looks up at me with a heavy frown before his eyes shift to the table before him and then back up at me. And from the expression on his face I know he's remembered something yet again and I offer a weak smile. "What did you remember?"
"Something about foreign coffee and this couch," he starts with a nervous tone and I know the exact incident he's referring to.
"When we came back from Greece we shared a special moment on that couch."
"We had sex here?" He asks in surprise and I lightly laugh.
"Nice try," I reply. "We shared Greek coffee and I read you the grounds and it was in that moment or around that time that we finally started to express our true feelings for each other."
"But I have known you for ten years. Why didn't I ever tell you before? Was I married during that time entire time? Didn't I always care for you?"
I look at him and offer a slight frown and a soft sigh. It's too long an explanation that I know will just confuse him all the more so I take the easy way out. "Better late than never right?"
"Save it for when my memory comes back?" He asks in wonder and I just nod my head as Flack walks into the room and sits down beside Mac. I notice Mac's body tense but once Flack starts talking to both of us; including Mac, in the case discussion like he always did, I finally see Mac's body un-tense and his face relax and I know he's progressing better than he probably expects.
"So you know nothing?" Mac asks in frustration.
"This guy is very methodical and knows how we work," Flack offers with a heavy frown, his eyes watching Mac's facial expression with interest. "Do you remember me at all?"
"I remembered your name and something about you almost dying?" He asks in wonder, his eyes locks with Flack's. "I see images of debris, smoke and you covered with blood."
"You did save my life. It was a case where a mad bomber was targeting you and I got in the way," Flack replies with a smile. "Want to go for a walk on the wild side? Maybe take a look at some pictures and see if we can't find the guy you're after?"
Mac looks at me and I just offer a smile of reassurance and he agrees and takes his leave with Flack.
"How is he?" Sheldon asks as he walks into Mac's office and sits down before me.
"Getting more and more frustrated but it's funny because he won't admit it, which is totally like him. But he seems to start remembering things so as much as he might not want to admit it, I know he's getting better. Anything new from Dr. Adams?"
"Just that the longer Mac is away from harm and medication the better his chances for recovery. Dr. Adams said that he should just get them all back and then look out," Sheldon recounts with a smile. "Since he has no neurological distress, I'd venture that it'll be sooner rather than later. In fact, if it was anyone other than Mac, I might even guess they'd play us for a bit."
"Thankfully Mac can't pull that off for very long without his true colors showing through," I tell Sheldon as Danny finally emerges.
"I think I found something at Mac's," he informs us and Sheldon and I hurry after Danny, thinking that Mac is going to be with Flack for some time.
XXXXXXXX
My eyes take in everything that I pass as I follow Detective Flack into the police side of the building. I just offer smiles and nod hello's to those that seem to know me but my mind only flashes certain things that seem important. When I pass by the interrogation room I see myself in a heated fit over something, attacking someone and Flack tells me it could be a hundred different cases as I don't take lies or half truth from anyone that I am seeking justice against. All in all I seem a very harsh man and I am not sure I want to remember that kind of person. However, I seem respected and liked at the same time and I take some small comfort in that.
I hold onto the phone in my hand but doubt I'll need to use it for the rest of the day. I look at the phone and see that Adam has programmed a few key addresses inside, one of them being my own.
Flack is suddenly called to attend to a new case and I tell him that I'll be okay heading back to find Stella where I left her in "my" office. He hesitates at first and then when the woman calling him seems desperate enough, finally agrees to let me go on my own and so I take my leave. However, when I finally make it back I see that Stella is gone and no one seems to know where she is.
Maybe she went home. I wander back into my office and stare at some of the Marine memorabilia on the wall and my mind flashes an image of me being struck with something and I can only assume its how I got the scar on my chest. When Stella doesn't return I decide to venture out once more to see what else my memory can be jogged with. When I close my eyes I see blurry images of things I should know and I take comfort in the fact that my brain is trying to heal and get me back to where I belong.
I get into the elevator and head outside once again. The noise seems to almost want to shatter my sensitive ear drums but after a few minutes of deep breathing I am once again able to focus on my task at hand; seeing if I know the area where I work. I spy a coffee shop nearby and make my way toward it.
"Morning Detective Taylor," a young man greets me and I offer a smile. "Dressing down today?" He smiles and I just agree. "So the usual?"
"Sure," I reply in haste as I look at the establishment before me. My mind shows a picture of Stella and I at a small table and I figure we must come here quite often for me to be a regular patron and my mind to want to remember it.
I pull out the phone and call Stella, not realizing her phone is on my office desk and she's in the lab. "Stella, it's Mac, I think I'm going home. See you there."
XXXXXXXX
~Colin Morris~
Watching Taylor wander aimlessly around is almost too much delight to my tired brain but I grow weary of this useless chase and so need to get him away from familiar people sooner rather than later. I'm sure going into his place of work today has started to jog a few memories and knowing that he wasn't exposed as long to the mind altering medication as I would have wanted means his mind is already on the road to recovery and that worries me.
If his mind does return then I'll have to find another way to take my plan of revenge to the next level and I don't want to go there. So far I haven't heard an APB put out for me so that means that thankfully no one has shown him a picture of me. I'm sure he's described me to them but if I'm not in the system then I'm okay for a bit longer.
When I went into Bonasera's home this morning I was in disguise but she's seen that one and I'm sure he's told her it was a wig I was wearing so I'll have to be careful. I quickly pull on my next clever disguise and prepare to take my leave. However, just as I am about to get out I watch Taylor get into a cab and offer a curse.
"Now where the hell is he going?" I ask in anger as I push my truck into traffic after him. As much as I am annoyed at this chase this might work out to my benefit as he's now leaving someplace safe and venturing out alone. And if I didn't know any better, I might assume his memory has returned and it's me that will be in for a surprise instead of the other way round.
XXXXXXXX
"So when Mac gets back from looking at those pictures..." I start as I head into Mac's office and notice he's still not back yet. "Probably still with Flack," I tell Lindsay.
"So how are you?" She asks me in concern as we sit down on the leather couch opposite Mac's desk.
"Worried he'll never get his memory back," I offer in concern; my face nervous and tense. I look at the younger woman before me and finally offer a kind smile as her face reflects my anxiety. "Mac is strong and in good health and Dr. Adams said his CAT scan showed no permanent damage so it's just a matter of time. But he's frustrated and I know I'm feeding off that at times so it's strained. And then after this morning..."
"I couldn't imagine," she tells me in wonder, her eyes drifting away from me and resting on Mac's empty chair. "Can't really imagine this place without him either."
"That makes two of us. When I thought he was gone I had this large hole in my heart and I wondered what life without him would be like; but now to have him back and having to redo, well, everything all over again is almost just as painful," I reflect; looking back at her with sad smile. "That was really sad wasn't it?"
"Stella, you care for Mac, dare I say love him?" She questions.
"Lindsay..." I start, my heart beating faster at my unuttered response.
"Stella, you don't have to answer to me," she replies in haste, a smile on her face to put me at ease. "I was just making an observation."
"Good observation."
"So when Mac returns let me know and we'll get him to take a look at the person we found in the system."
"Sounds like a plan," I agree and watch her leave. I sit where I am, looking at Mac's chair; picturing him looking back at me with his trademark smile and I feel myself taking a few moments of ease. I finally push myself back up and head for my office to get some work done, thinking that Flack will return shortly with Mac at his side.
XXXXXXXX
On the cab ride back home my mind is now flashing other images and after awhile I actually have to close my eyes to stop the throbbing in my head.
"Sir?" The cabbie asks, pulling me from my mental battle. "We're here."
"Thanks," I mumble as I pull out some money that I had found at home and pay him whatever he's asking and then get out in front of my building. However, as I head for the front door I offer a curse as I realize that I have no key and Stella has the only copy. I look at the occupant list and frown at my own name before turning around with the thought to head back to the lab and wait for Stella.
I am about to hail another cab when I feel a strong arm take mine and swing me around to face whoever is trying to get my attention. My world stops short as I look into the face of the man that has made my life a living hell.
"Hello John," he greets me with a smug tone. "Pull away and I'll shoot you right here," he offers, his free hand pulling his jacket open to reveal a hidden gun and then closing it from passersby.
"Shoot me," I dare. "I'm not going with you and my name isn't John."
"Already buying their lies are you?"
"You are the one who is lying," I state crossly; trying to yank my free. "I saw things and am starting to remember. So your game is up! What the hell do you want from me anyways?"
"I want to take your life as you took mine," he informs me.
"Took your life? You're still alive!"
"John..."
"My name is Mac Taylor and you can go to hell."
"You come with me now or I'll kill Stella to spite you!" He hisses in anger.
I might not completely remember what kind of woman Stella is, but I know she'd never take a backseat to his guy and I doubt I would bow to his petty threats. So without offering another word, I stomp on his foot which allows his grasp to loosen, push him backward and take off in the opposite direction; nervous adrenaline feeding my weary body with all it can offer.
I am not familiar with this area right now, but I waste no time in rushing for a narrow alley and racing down it; my captor's angry voice only a few seconds behind. I reach the end and turn to the left and keep going, heading further away from the safety of my home; entering an area where danger awaits.
XXXXXXXX
I finish up my file and then look at the time; Mac should be back by now. Instead of seeming like an overprotective parent, I'll use the excuse that I need to talk to Flack about something instead of seeing how Mac is faring.
But just as I am about to head into the other building, Flack calls my name and I turn around in haste.
"How did Mac do?" I ask in wonder.
"Never got a chance to look at the books," Flack tells me as Jessica finally joins us, handing Flack a file and then turning to leave. "What did he do when he came back here?"
"Mac never came back here," I mention in dread and Jessica looks back in concern. "Did you see him?" I ask her and she nods her head no. I rush into my office and call Mac's cell phone but it only rings.
"Damn it! No one was supposed to let him out of their sight."
"Sorry Stella, he said he was going back to your office...and we can't treat him like a child..." he voice trails off as I see a message waiting for me and go to listen to it.
"I know."
"Stella, it's Mac, I think I'm going home. See you there."
"So he went home," Flack mumbles.
"Adam programmed all his personal information into his new phone," I inform them as I dial Mac again and then his home number. "But he has no key."
"And if his kidnapper already tried once this morning..." Jessica's voice trails off.
"He might try again," I state in a panic as the three of us rush to find Adam. I try Mac's number again and it finally answers.
"Mac?" I ask, pressing the speaker button so the other two can hear.
"Stella...help me..." he gasps, almost out of breath and my heart is now racing.
"Where are you?"
"I don't know..."
"JOHN!" We hear an angry male voice yelling in the background.
"Mac! Is that..."
"Yes...Stella...it's Colin...hurry!" He shouts as the line goes dead again.
"It's him...Mac's in trouble."
"I'll drive," Flack offers as the three of us race for the stairs.
"Adam," I call on the way. "Track Mac's cell number and tell me where he is. If it's moving, keep track and tell me where he stops.
"Is he okay?"
"No...he's not."
XXXXXXXX
"JOHN!" I hear him shout at me again as I race further into another strange alleyway, various sets of wondering eyes watching me with intent.
I turn to my left and reach a dead end.
"Got you now," he smiles as he stops and pulls his gun. "Walk to me."
However, my mind only offers tormented images of my capture by him before and I find myself instead of complying with him; charging him head on. I guess he thinks I'm going to stop as he doesn't fire and my body slams into his taking us both to the ground. I offer a hard punch to the side of his face and his head snaps to one side. I push myself to my feet, but he grabs the leg of my jeans, offers a yank and I find myself falling to my knees on the harsh cement; the phone falling from my hands to the ground out of reach. He pounces on my back, slamming me to the ground on my stomach as he tries to trap my wrists behind my back.
"Time to come with me John."
"Like...hell."
But I won't allow myself to be taken again by him and offer a hard elbow to his face and he yells out in pain. This loosens his grasp and I twist around and hit him again in the face, once more in the side and his body is finally free of mine. I again push myself to my knees, kick him in the side and then turn to take my leave. I have lost my phone but dont want to take a chance and go back and he does pull the gun and I'm taken once again. So I push myself back down the hallway and race into the late afternoon. But since I am not familiar with the area, I have forgotten where home is and realize that I am now lost and at the mercy of a not only a man who knows me and wants revenge, but a city unwilling to help a man in need.
Stella, were are you? I need your help!
I run until I can't run anymore and finally when I don't hear him yelling, I lean against a cold brick building, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart and pounding head. However, just as I am about to start out in the open again, a hand touches my shoulder and I offer a cry of surprise.
XXXXXXXX
"Stella, it's stopped about eight blocks from his apartment," Adam tells me giving me the address we think Mac is stopped.
"Maybe he's hiding there," Jessica offers.
"Yeah and if we phone we give him away. But if he's injured we waste time," I state in anger. "When I get my hands on this bastard, I think I'm going to kill him."
"And people call me rash?" Flack quips and Jessica just rolls her eyes.
The ride to the spot we think Mac is, is pure torment for my emotional wellbeing and I think that when Mac does get his memory back, I'll put in for a week holiday where I do nothing but try to get my heart rate back to normal; with Mac at my side of course. I love Mac, I do; and having him go through this is pure hell on both of us. My mind plays over and over again the panic in his voice and part of me wonders if we'll find him alive; or worse another injury to delay the healing process.
We finally reach the spot we think Mac is and I quickly get out. The three of us take different areas, searching for anywhere that Mac could be hidden. I am about to check another area when my eyes rest on something and my world stops. I quickly pick up his phone and catch my breath before calling his name; rushing up to Flack with the item in my hand.
"Oh no..."
"Were we too late?"
A/N: thanks for the reviews so far. Lots more to come with this adventure! Please review and let me know what you think. Whoever touched his shoulder might not be who you think! Also If you haven't already please check out my new SMACKED story "Time's Up"! Thanks in advance
