Okay this is a shorter version of one of the chapters from my story For Better or For Worse, just from Finch's pov, so if you have no idea what's going on please feel free to read that first. It's not too long, and some people actually find it somewhat enjoyable.


Finch limped toward the abandoned complex as fast as his leg would allow, his laptop left behind in favor of his more portable phone. Carter was right on his tail until they reached the entrance. "Finch, let me go first," she said. He wanted to protest, but she was the only one of them willing to wield a gun.

Finch nodded, and soon they found stairs leading down. When they reached the bottom, he took out his phone and locked onto the signal of Grace's. It was moving quickly; she must be running from something. "That way," Finch directed impatiently. Carter refused to let him around any corners until she had cleared them.

"Sorry Finch, but John'll kill me if you get hurt," she apologized. "But if you find Taylor on that thing, tell me." Her voice brooked no argument.

It was difficult trying to choose a path that would intersect with Grace's. She seemed to be picking her direction at random, a new tunnel every time. Finally, Finch noticed she was heading in the general direction of a large room. "I know where to go, Detective," he asserted.

Suddenly a man charged out of a door swinging a gun, halting Finch in his tracks. They hadn't met a single soul so far, and he was completely unprepared for this man's attack. Luckily, Carter was. She punched him in the face before he had a chance to speak as her gun whipped toward him. She shot him point blank in the chest as he fell to the ground. "Well done, Detective," Finch said with wide eyes.

"No one gets between me and my son," she growled. Finch nodded and hurried forward.

Just as they were nearing the central room, a small gang of dirty cops opened a door, laughing as they exited. They recovered quickly, their guns trained on the intruders faster than Finch could blink. Carter shoved him down the hall before anyone could move, shouting for him to 'find what they came for'. He didn't waste any time arguing.

It took longer than he expected to navigate the rest of the tunnels, but Finch was just thankful he didn't take any wrong turns. He almost smiled; the signal he was tracking was roughly just twenty feet ahead.

Finch's heart dropped into his stomach as he heard John calling for Grace. He sounded desperate, as if they were in danger. Finch rushed forward, doubling his speed in terror as he heard a strange man threatening Grace. He noticed everything at once, as if it all moved in slow motion for his benefit. Reese stood in front of Taylor, both of them reaching forward. John was raising his gun at a black clad man, but he was slow, too slow. The man had already chosen his target, the beautiful angel frozen in fear not five feet from Finch.

There was no one point when Finch decided to do it. Perhaps he had known all along it would come to this, would require the last thing he was able to give. Either way, he was overjoyed that he was the one in his position. What better way to leave this life than giving it in exchange for the only woman he would ever truly love? Besides, he was already dead, according to the world. Maybe he had lived too long already.

All this he thought as he flung himself forward, shielding Grace from the bullet meant for her heart. It burned a hole through his stomach, the impact with the ground only making it worse. He grimaced, in too much pain to cry out. Someone rolled him over, and the last thing he knew was Grace's voice whispering his name.


If you're interested in the rest, just take a look at my other story. BTW, I threw in a little Doctor Who quote, just a really little one no one would probably remember. I'm curious to see if anyone can recognize it.