THREE DAYS LATER

Kelley's information was exactly right. Memotide tracked down 15 CDs, each one owned by a different group of terrorist cells. And with a little persuading from Don and the team they gave up their suppliers. All of Rials' gang was apprehended along with the rest of the CDs from the package. Charlie was scared to death that Rials would come after Kelley, knowing she was the one to find the hidden track in the music. So Don made good on his promise to Charlie, and beefed up her protection level even further. Now she wasn't allowed out of the house at all. If Don needed anything he came to her. She wasn't even allowed to be within three feet of windows, and she was getting sick of it. Don assured her that it wouldn't be long now before this was all over. There was only one little problem.

"Ladybug, we can't find Rials." Don sat in the chair facing her.

"What do you mean you can't find him?" She looked at Don with a worried expression. "Don, I can't be under protective custody for the rest of my life. I need out of here." She put her face in her hands and began to cry.

"I know but I can't risk that until he's in custody." He moved over to the couch to join her. He put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her. "I can't put you in danger like that. We've got his whole gang he'll be desperate, there's no telling what he might do. The problem is he's being careful. He's staying just one step ahead of us."

She raised her head "What if there were a way to lure him out?" She turned to Don, eyes still wet with tears.

"What are you saying? Like offer him bait?" Don looked at her curiously.

"Exactly." She nodded her hand.

"What would he want though?" Don began to ponder the idea.

"Me" Her voice remained steady as she said it.

"No way, Ladybug. You can't be serious. There is no way in hell I'm gonna let you be anywhere near Rials." He shook his head. "No way. Charlie would kill more for even entertaining the idea."

"But you know just as well as I do it's the only way. Don if I didn't trust you, and Megan and David and Colby I wouldn't even consider it. But I know you guys will never let anything happen to me. I can't take being cooped up in this house one more second! And if I have to face a little bit of danger to get out of here then so be it. I'll do it. I'm more afraid of the idea of having to stay in this house all day than I am of facing Rials. Please Don." Her big blue eyes pleaded with him. He knew she was sick of protective custody. He wanted to get her out as bad as she wanted to get out. He thought for a few minutes.

"Ok" he finally answered in a low voice. "Ok, Ladybug. We'll do it, but you have to convince Charlie. I'm not going through with this without his consent."

"Fair enough." She gave Don a nod. "Thanks Don."

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

"I'm still not comfortable with this." Charlie said as fiddled with the hat for his costume.

"The costume?" Kelley asked putting the finishing touches on her makeup.

"Don't play games. This is serious. You know I mean this plan you and Don have cooked up. I mean what if Rials doesn't even show? Or what if he does and he kidnaps you before anyone knows it." Charlie was getting frazzled just thinking about it.

Kelley caught his hand. "Charlie, everything is going to be fine. Don has this completely ironed out this plan to the last detail with his team. They are not going to let anything happen to me."

"I hope you're right." He pulled her closer until his face was almost touching hers. "I can't lose you." He gave her a nervous smile. "I can't. I wouldn't know what to do without you."

"Charlie, you are not going to lose me. I promise." She moved closer and rested her nose on his. "Besides who'd make you wear ridiculous costumers for Halloween if it weren't for me?" She gave him a sly smile.

"Oh ho ho." Charlie chuckled but didn't let go of her. "This is very true. You know I think you owe me a kiss for making me wear this stupid outfit."

"It's not stupid. I think you look very cute. But I'll still kiss you anyway." She leaned in and gave him a long, sweet kiss.

"Charlie, you two better hurry up, Don's here!" Alan yelled up the stairs.

He slowly pulled away from her kiss. "Ok dad we'll be down in a minute!" He turned back to Kelley. "Now where was I?" He kissed her again. He pulled away slowly again. "I guess we better go."

"Yeah I guess so." They headed for the door. "Charlie aren't you forgetting something?"

"No, I don't think so." He looked around searching for what she could mean.

"Ah Hem." She held up his hat.

"Oh, right, that." He took the hat from her hand.

"It gives the full effect." She said and helped him adjust it.

"How do I look?" He stood back and gave her a grin.

"Very cute." She took his arm and they headed sown stairs.

When they reached the top of the stairs Alan began to smile and Don began to laugh. "What are you two supposed to be?" Don asked through a chuckle.

"I'm Cleopatra and he's King Tut." Kelley gave a big smile. "Aren't we cute?" The both wore robes made of white material. They each wore a gold colored sash as a belt and had half circle shapes that went around the collars. They even had gold arm bands on each arm. But the headgear is what separated them. Kelley's already straight dark brown hair was held down with a headband. Charlie on the other hand had a huge stuffed hat that reminded him of a jester's hat, but it was made to look like King Tut's famous headdress. Kelley had tried to convince Charlie to wear make-up like King Tut as well but he wasn't having it. She on the other hand had covered her eye lids in dark blue eye shadow and extended it to points close to her hair line.

"Well cute is not a word I would you use to describe you, but if that's what you think Ladybug." Don chuckled as he looked at them.

Kelley's face looked hurt. "Well at least I don't look like I put on my pajamas with a sheet tied around my neck for a cape. And did you cut two holes in a sock to make that mask." She reached for Don' face.

He caught her hand. "Ok fair enough, my Zorro costume is not perfect, but it's all I could find on short notice." He laughed. "Are you sure you want to go through with this, Ladybug?"

"Yep. Let's do it." She him the bravest smile she could.

"Do I get a say in this?" Charlie asked.

"Nope. Ladybug's the only one who can back out now." Don took her hand. "I am really proud of you. Most people wouldn't have held up through all of this as well as you have. You're a pretty tough lady, and I will not let you down. Hell I'd even go so far as to say I love 'ya. You're good for Charlie and that's what means the most."

"I love you too Don." She gave him a big hug. "And I know everything is going to be fine." She pulled a way and gave Don a big smile. "Now don't get all mushy on me G-man."

"You got it. Well, let's get going and catch us a terrorist." Don led them to the door. Charlie and Kelley headed to the car, but Alan pulled Don aside before he could leave.

"You take good care of her Donnie, I don't think any of us could take it if something happened to that girl. I know I couldn't." He patted him on the shoulder.

"I will Dad. I will." With that Don left.

AT THE COSTUME PARTY

Don had carefully disguised officers at every entrance to the building. Disguising them wasn't too hard; it was a costume party after all. Don had a list of all the CalSci staff that was to be at the event and what they were coming as. If someone suspicious showed up, he'd know.

When the three of them arrived, there was hardly anyone at the party, but eventually the giant room at the base of the observatory began to fill with the sounds of happy party goers and loud music. Larry and Megan, who was also on duty, finally met up with Charlie and Kelley to settle the bet of the best costume. "Larry, Megan, what the heck are you guys?" Kelley was tilting her head sideways studying their very round costumes.

"We're a molecule of water." Larry announced happily. "See I'm two oxygen molecules, and Megan is one hydrogen molecule."

"Well Larry, that's really original." Charlie was looking at him with a very puzzled look on his face.

"You guys defiantly win, Kelley you look absolutely adorable." Megan attempted to hug her but her round molecule kept getting in the way. They all laughed.

"Yes, Charles you and you're lovely lady friend can claim the victory on this particular battle, but wherever did you find those authentic looking costumes?" Larry was very impressed with the outfits Kelley and Charlie were wearing.

"Believe it or not, Kelley made them." Charlie gave her a big smile.

"Really? Well I am impressed with your many talents. Kelley" Larry kissed her hand.

"Thanks Larry, but let's face it I have had A LOT of time on my hands here lately." They all laughed. "Has anyone seen Doris, I'm interested to see what she and Mike came as." She searched the room for a few moments and finally locked eyes on them and immediately began laughing. Doris was wearing a nice pair of black dress pants, but above that she was wearing what looked like a huge leg shackle ball as a top. Coming out of the top of her hat was a chain that trailed down and connected to a large shackle that was wrapped around her husband's body like a sash. By this time Charlie, Megan, and Larry had all noticed and were laughing hysterically. They all made there way over to Doris and Mike.

"Hey there's my girlfriend." Mike announced happily as the group approached. When Kelley was close enough he gave her a hug. "I didn't think we'd see you here. You out of jail yet?"

"Just for tonight. Where on earth did you guys come up with those outfits?" Kelley asked laughing at Doris' expression.

"Well he's always calling me the old ball and chain so I figured I'd make him good on his word." They all laughed again.

The night continued with lots of dancing and laughing. All under the watchful eye of Don and his team. Charlie and Kelley finished dancing close to "Apologize" by Timbaland and One Republic. "Charlie I need something to drink." She yelled over the music.

"Ok I'll be right back." He kissed her and headed for the drink table.

Kelley moved off the dance floor and stood by close to the wall. From behind her she heard a scrap and the felt her self being pulled back into the curtain behind the streamers that hung from the ceiling behind her, a large hand covering her mouth preventing her from screaming. "You couldn't leave well enough alone could you, you little bitch. Now your genius boyfriend will just have to figure out where you went, and by the time he does, it'll be too late for you." She recognized the voice form the tape, it was Rials. He dragged her out a door, that apparently no one was covering, and into the alley behind the building. Once outside he pulled a knife from his pocket and placed it against her throat. "Now if you scream, no one will hear you because if I hear so much as one peep, I'll slit your throat." He spit the words angrily in her eat, then he took his hand away from her mouth. "I told you to stay away from this case. I knew you were too smart when it came to music, and one listen would expose out little plan. I used the copy of you CD to make my master copy, surely no one would think anything of a mix CD full of popular songs. And when Brian came in to kill you, to keep you from talking, that idiot boyfriend of yours came in and caught him, but you know he found something even better. A picture of you and my old friend Agent Eppes, and we thought we could use that to our advantage, and it worked for a while, until you got stupid and listened to those CDs. You ruined my life, I had been planning this for 5 years and in a month you tore it all down. And now you're gonna die for it. Anything you want me to tell Charlie Boy for you before you die?" He laughed into her ear.

MEANWHILE BACK INSIDE

"Now where did she go?" Charlie wonder as he returned to the spot he had last seen Kelley standing. He immediately thought the worst. He turned around to locate Don. When he found him and ran to him. "She's gone!"

"What? Kelley's gone? Where is she?" Don looked concerned through his Zorro mask.

"She was standing over there waiting for me to come back with drinks and now she's gone!" Charlie rushed the words out in a panic.

"Ok show me where you saw her last." Don followed closely behind Charlie. When they got to the spot, Don noticed the streamers moving. He looked around but saw no air vents that could be causing the movement. "Is there another door behind this curtain?" He asked Charlie.

"I-I-I think so." Charlie stammered in reply.

"Oh shit, I didn't know about that one. No one's covering it." Don pulled his gun and headed for the door. "Stay here Charlie." He called back to his brother. "Please God don't let me be too late. I'll never forgive myself if I'm too late." He thought as he saw the open door and headed for it.

BACK IN THE ALLEY

"Oh my God, this is it, he's going to kill me. I'm never going to see Charlie again. Why didn't I listen to him?" She thought tears filling her eyes as she thought about never being able to be with Charlie again, to hold him, to kiss him.

"You don't have to tell him anything for her, because you're going to let her go right now, or I'll blow your head off." Don's voice came from behind Rials.

"Oh thank you God. Don's here. He said he wouldn't let him hurt me." She had never been happier to hear Don's voice than at that moment. Rials released his grip on her and dropped the knife. She turned to face him. She could see Don's face over his shoulder.

"You ok Ladybug?" Don asked her. She nodded yes. Charlie emerged from the building just in time to see Kelley standing in front of Rials and Don behind him with a gun to his head. Charlie met eyes with Kelley just as Rials pulled a gun from his pocket and shot her twice in the chest.

"NOOOOOOO!" Charlie screamed as he watched her stagger backwards and crumple into a limp pile on the ground. Don slammed Rials in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. Rials dropped the gun and dropped to the ground. Don quickly hand cuffed him and joined Charlie had ran over to kneel by Kelley's lifeless body.

"Don you promised me! You promised me you wouldn't let anything happen to her!" Charlie had torn off his pharaoh hat and sat sobbing next to Kelley.

"Charlie she's gonna be fine…" Don put his hand on his younger brother's shoulder.

Charlie threw his hand away. "SHE IS NOT FINE!!" He screamed. "She's dead!! And you let it happen!! You promised me you wouldn't but you didn't protect her and now she's dead!" Charlie gathered her limp frame into his arms and began to sob uncontrollably. David, Megan, and Colby had now entered the alley. Their hearts all sank when they saw the scene before them. They had all let her down and now it was over.

"Charlie?" A small voice was heard under Charlie's sobs. He pulled body back and looked at her. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Charlie, I'm ok."

"H-H-How?" Charlie stammered amazed at what he was witnessing.

"Ok Ladybug just like we talked about, sit up slowly." Don reached over and helped her sit up from Charlie's arms. "Did you put an extra shirt on like I told you too?" She nodded. "Good girl now let's get this thing off you." Charlie watched bewildered as Kelley removed her costume to reveal white cotton shorts and a black Kevlar bullet proof vest. He noticed the two small indentions in the side over her right ribs where the bullets had hit her. "Hey David go get her some water will 'ya?" Don called to him. David smiled at the fact she was going to be ok and ran back inside to get her some water.

"You had on a vest?" Charlie asked still looking confused.

"Yeah Charlie, I didn't tell you because I knew it would make you worry." She winced as Don helped her get the vest off.

"Easy now. You're gonna be real sore for the next few days." He laid the vest to the side.

"You didn't tell me? How could you do that to me? I was scared to death!" Charlie could feel his anger rising.

"Hey, don't be mad at her. It was my idea for her to wear it and to not tell you." Don quickly took Kelley's side. "She's been through a lot tonight, give her a break why don't you."

"Ouch!" Kelley let out a painful scream and grabbed her side.

"Easy Ladybug, you're gonna hurt yourself."

"No Don, this really hurts and I can't get catch my breath. Something's wrong." She began to gasp for air. She looked down to make sure the bullets had not penetrated the vest. Of course they hadn't. She began to panic. "Charlie! I can't breath!!" She grabbed his arm.

"Damn! The force of the bullets probably collapsed your lung. Charlie lay her down she'll be able to breathe better that way. Stay clam Ladybug, I've got an ambulance on call, I'll get them here in a second and they'll get you patched right up. Just stay calm." She nodded.

Charlie pulled her close but was careful not to block her air way. "Easy Baby. You're gonna be fine." He held her and waited for the ambulance to arrive.

AT THE HOSIPTAL

"Is she going to be ok Dr. Burke?" Alan asked. He finally convinced Don and Charlie to sit down, and as soon as they did he began to pace back and forth. When the doctor emerged he was in his face in a heart beat.

"She will be fine Mr. Eppes." He placed his hand on Alan's shoulder. The waiting room was full of people waiting to hear about how Kelley was. Charlie and Don were at Alan's side in under a second. Everyone else crowded in behind them. The group included Megan, Larry, David, Colby, Doris and Mike. "Are you all here for Kelley James?" They all nodded. "Well, I can tell she is well liked. Her right lung was in fact fully collapsed. The force from the bullets, even with the vest can do that sometimes."

"What did you do to fix it?" Alan quickly asked. A collapsed lung did not sound good in his book.

"Well, we sedated her, and made a small incision between two of her ribs. In that incision we placed a chest tube through which we were able to re-inflate the lung. Now just to warn you she will have to keep the tube in for several days so don't be alarmed when you go in to see her and it's still there. But she will have be here for several days so we can monitor her for any infection. But other than that she is going to be just fine. The nurse will come to get you and let you visit for a minuet when she wakes up. But I am afraid only 3 people will be allowed in tonight. The rest of you are welcome to come back and see her tomorrow. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you Dr. Burke." Charlie, Don, and Alan shook the doctor's hand. Now knowing that they wouldn't be able to see her, the rest of the crew left.

"Take care of our girl. We'll be back in the morning." Doris said as she hugged Charlie good-bye.

After what seemed like ages the nurse finally came out and let Alan, Charlie, and Don come back to see her. When they reached her bed she was awake but still seemed a little groggy.

"How are you feeling Babe?" Charlie said sitting down in the chair next to her bed and taking her hand.

"I'm ok. Did we get him Don?" She raised her big blue eyes to his face with a hopeful look. Her voice was still really weak.

"You bet we did. And it's all thanks to you, Ladybug. We couldn't have done it without you." He gave her a big smile.

"We're all so glad you're ok my dear." Alan leaned over and kissed her forehead. "But I think it would be best if we left you alone to rest now."

"Are all of you leaving me here by myself?" They could all see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"No just Dad and Don are leaving; I'm staying here with you." Charlie took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. "I wouldn't leave you here by yourself."

"Well we'll be off then." Alan said giving her another kiss.

"We'll be back to check on you tomorrow ok Ladybug?" Don gave her a kiss as well.

"Ok Don." She managed to say as her eyes started to close.

"We'll see you in the morning Charlie." Alan gave him a wave.

"See you Chuck." Don headed out as well.

"Don, wait." Charlie called him back "I'm sorry for the way I acted at the scene, it's just that…"

Don interrupted. "Don't apologize, Charlie, you reacted the way I expected you too. I'm mean you love her and you thought she was gone. I'm sorry for putting you through it, but I don't think we would have caught Rials any other way." He put his hand on Charlie's shoulder.

"You're right. I'll see you tomorrow. And thanks Don, you promised me I wouldn't lose her and I didn't. Thank you."

"Hey what are brothers for?" He and Charlie shook hands and hugged with their free arms.

Don left the room and it grew quiet, except for the beeping of Kelley's monitors. She opened her eyes and looked at Charlie. "Charlie where is everyone?"

"They all went home, but they'll be back tomorrow." He took her hand, "Go back to sleep you need your rest right now."

"Ok. Charlie?"

"Yeah Babe?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."