Title: Target Specific
Chapter 10 - Parental Priority before Professional Protocol
~Mac Taylor, Washington, DC~
"Mac, I have the key to those cuffs and the only way I am going to let you go is if you agree to let me help you."
"That's blackmail," I huff.
"I call it an offer you can't refuse."
I look at the young man before me and frown, my mind in turmoil trying to decide between what I should do and what I need to do.
"Look I am not going to seek you out on a regular basis, I don't care where you live or who you really are but I want to live to see tomorrow and my father hates me. You were paid to kill me and I want to help you bring him in."
"Bring him in? I don't use regular channels of the law Adam," I state firmly, an ache starting to develop in my side and my wrists. My anxiety is starting to rise and I need to rid myself of this kid for good. I feel my phone starting to buzz and I know Sid is wondering what on earth is going on.
"Then use irregular ones. Please?"
"You said your father is in law enforcement."
"Captain Lawrence Ross," Adam frowns. "He runs the precinct in mid-town."
"Is there anyone you can trust?"
"His superior is bad and a few others."
"How about the DA?"
"You want me to go..." Adam starts as he gestures to me to get up. I slowly push myself up and he undoes the cuffs and I offer a nod of thanks and rub my wrists.
"I am trying to avoid an incident that puts you on the wrong side of the law."
"Funny coming from you," he throws at me and I just frown. "Fine we try it your way and then we try it mine?"
"What is your way?"
"Your way. The only way. Mac I have nothing else. Your way means my life."
I look at Adam and offer a heavy sigh. "I need to think about all this. Since you know where I am staying give me your..."
"Can I stay here with you? I uh...well I don't want to...go home."
"Room next door?" I ask in haste.
"Ah like your privacy huh."
"Very much," I offer as I call the front desk and ask for a room right beside mine. "I'll talk to you in the morning if you are still here."
"I have no where else to go, my contact story was just a decoy," Adam frowns. "I have been watching my back for the past few months and I am tired of it; wondering when I'll be taken out by a man that is supposed to keep me safe. Thank you for helping me. I feel alone."
"I haven't..."
"You listened right?"
"Kinda had to," I huff.
"Right."
"So do you have a girl?" Adam asks and I guess my instant smile gave it away. "Is she hot?" He asks again and I just laugh.
"She's the most amazing woman in the world."
"I envy you," Adam smiles. "So where did you meet?"
"Adam, it's late and you need sleep."
"Yeah sorry about that," he replies with a sheepish smile as he takes his leave and I watch him check into the room next door and then hear the door lock and offer a heavy sigh. I rush back to my phone and look at Sid's message.
'Mac, you still alive?'
'Yes for now. Kid is next door and wants my help. ???'
'You don't need me to tell you when it's the right time to do the right thing.'
'Just needed to hear it, I guess.'
'Watch your back Mac, there will be consequences.'
'Not if he's dead.'
'And you?'
I put my phone down and ease myself down on the bed and lean my head against the wall and close my eyes.
"I need Stella," I whisper in torment as I look over at my personal phone, my eyes slightly watering. I am very tempted to send a message but they are time and date stamped and if I send from here she'll know I'm not in Zurich and will probably call me on it and then I'll be in trouble. But even if I heard her voice I couldn't tell her what is wrong; I'll never be able to. And that's why I know in my heart we can never be together. Once I tell her the truth she'll hate me for sure.
"I need to quit this damn game," I huff in misery as I gently lift my shirt up and inspect Adam's work. The wound is bleeding again and I need to clean it up before Sid gives me a royal lecture; one I already suspect he's waiting to deliver. I know Sid always backs my decisions but none have affected me quite like this. I admire this young man's character for what he did tonight; his determination for getting my help and his obvious desire to beat his traitorous father at his own game. And while I do trust Sid's computer and information finding abilities, this young man could be an asset.
I push myself up off the bed and slowly undress, heading into the bathroom for a quick shower. However, I know tonight, despite my best attempts at putting Stella's beautiful face into my brain, my sleep will be disturbed.
The hot water of the shower stings my cut and I know when Stella is visiting I'll have a hard time explaining it if she wants to get intimate. How on earth did I let myself get into this kind of mess? I offer an angry curse in the name of my own stupidity and quickly dry off. I put on my sleep clothes and then push myself into the uncomfortable hotel bed, rolling onto my uninjured side and trying to force sleep to overtake me. But as suspected, I'm awake the better part of the night, my brain now trying to win the war between what I need to do in a few hours to remedy the mistake I could be making and just walking away. I finally picture Stella in my arms as we are in the cave, her lips on mine and my eyes close and for a few hours I find rest.
However, just before sunup I am on my back, staring up at the ceiling in angry misery. As much as I tell myself that getting involved with Adam Ross isn't a good idea, I know that another information source is a valuable asset to a man like me; even if I were to quit, Don will need some good help and I think this kid could be it. My work blackberry buzzes to life and I pick it up.
'Mac, just got back, Sid said there is a new development? Don.'
'Nothing to worry about, just worry about your assignment and I'll give you the details in a few days. Watch you back and double check before you leave. I was set up. Mac.'
I finally push myself out of bed and am about to reach for my dress pants when I hear loud angry footsteps marching past me and then banging on Adam's door.
"What the hell?" I mumble in anger as I reach for my handgun and hurry for the door. I gently pull it open and take a deep breath.
"Open up Ross!" One of them angrily demands. I quickly reach for the silencer piece and start to screw it into place when I hear them demand once again. Just as the silencer is all the way on the end of the gun, they bust through his door and I am in the hallway, rushing toward an unarmed young man that obviously needs my help. One of them is by the door and one by the bed, but I charge past the one at the door, offering a hit to the side of his face iwith my elbow, as my body slams into the one hovering over the bed.
Adam finally pushes himself out of the way as we land on the floor in a jumble of arms and legs.
"What the..." Adam tries as he looks up at the man rushing toward him with a gun. "Oh m..." he starts just as he tries to roll out of bed and out of the way.
The man that is now tangled with me tries to get the gun from my hand and lands a hard blow to the cut I sustained last night. My eyes water as he hits me again and fresh blood finally appears, but I manage to keep the gun in my hand. My head connects oddly with his, breaking his nose and snapping is head back in pain. I offer a hard elbow to his upper chest and his grasp on me finally breaks. I look up to see Adam fighting with the other man but know it'll be a losing battle. I push myself to my feet but the other man grabs my ankle and sends me crashing to my knees. I twist around and punch him hard in the jaw; another to his cheek and his head snaps back.
"Mac!" Adam calls to me as I turn to see the first man about to shoot him. My reflexes are thankfully faster and within seconds the man is down and Adam is safe. I turn around to the man a few inches away, about to put a bullet in my chest and take him down before I'm the next casualty.
I take a deep breath, wipe the blood from my nose and look up at Adam with a heavy frown. "You okay?"
"And you think you're not cool?" Adam asks and I just smirk.
"Death is never cool," I frown as I push myself back up and then look at the wound on my side. "Sid is going to be pissed."
"How did those guys find me?"
"The pin you said your father gave you, it's probably got a tracking device on it," I inform him and he offers an angry curse. "Sorry."
"See now you have to help me or I'll never be safe."
I look into the flushed face of the young man before me and offer an anguished sigh. Mac, how on earth did you get yourself into this mess?
"Please?"
"If I do happen to agree to this, you better swear to me right now that my name will not show up anywhere on paper or the net and none of this makes YouTube."
He looks at me and smiles. "Yes!" He utters before his face turns serious. "I mean I swear. You're kinda like James Bond. I mean he had a license to kill right?"
"He worked for the good guys," I frown as I hurry and close Adam's door before calling the front desk and explaining that we just had a nightmare but if people heard struggling it was okay. Thankfully the room was rented under another name that won't be traced to any of my phony names or Adam's real name.
"So what do we do now?"
"I need you to get some cleaning fluid from the maid and after you have taken all yourself into my room, clean this place down. Leave those guys and put out the do not disturb sign," I huff as I head over to the two bodies and start to retrieve the bullets so they can't be traced.
An hour later Adam and I are in my room, both of us are dressed, I'm packing and he's on the computer trying to find out what his father is up to.
"Wow where did he get all this money?"
"What are you looking at?" I ask in wonder as I finally pull out my rifle from it's hiding place.
"I found his personal...uh oh..."
"What?"
"What is your handle?"
"Adam, I can't..."
"Mac, I think my father is meaning to kill you. Your handle is either The Marine or Boss Man. He's emailed some guy named Barracuda to kill both of you...or whoever," Adam frowns.
"Let me see that," I tell him in haste as I rush to his side. I stare at the information and a bad feeling starts to develop in my gut.
"Why are you worth ten million and me only..."
"That's the usual price tag for one industry professional to take out another. Send an email to the Barracuda if you can from your father's email. Tell him the assignment is void, funds not available right now and not to contact him again, he'll be in touch."
"You're The Marine right? Cool."
"What?"
"Well you don't seem like a boss man."
I just stake my head at his enthusiasm but offer a smirk nonetheless. However, my anxiety is now on high as I realize that I have just been played for a fool as Mr. Ross already had my death planned. There is no debate now, as long as he's alive, Adam and I will never be safe. This man obviously has the means to play one professional off the other and these loose cannons need to be dealt with.
After getting the details from Adam, we quickly take our leave and get into a cab, rightly assuming that Adam's car will be either bugged or wired for detonation. The new plan is for Adam to surprise his father in a public place and then me to take him out, leaving Adam in the clear and me on the first flight back home.
"Are you sure this will work?" Adam asks nervously as I tape the small wire to his chest.
"You can still back out now," I tell him with a heavy frown as he pulls is sweater back down. "I won't hold it against you in any way."
"Would be pretty wimpy right?" He asks with a nervous laugh.
"Not at all, in fact I admire your bravery through this whole thing. You are the only person so far that has been able to change my mind on a job and still accept me for what I do."
"I have always wanted to be part of something bigger you know and now I feel like I am."
"The taking of another life is not..."
"Mac, please spare me the lecture about right and wrong. Trust me if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't."
"Fair enough." I offer him a firm nod and then finalize a few more details. Adam told me that his father is a creature of habit. After he takes whatever flavor of the month he's with right now to a nearby hotel for an afternoon make out session, he always heads into the park to just sit and do whatever. Adam is going to confront him in the park.
I have arranged to wait in a place I'll be concealed, have given Adam a small tool to retrieve the bullet and have gone over the plan a few more times before he finally looks at me and utters, "let's do this," with firm conviction.
"Just be careful," I warn him as I watch him take his leave. He mutters to himself over the wire and I can't help but offer a half smile at his silly banter. However, my half smile turns to a heavy frown as I realize just what on earth I am doing.
"Sid is going to give me a royal ass whipping when I get home," I huff, laughing at the irony of my statement.
"I'm here," Adam finally mentions and my heart starts to race a bit faster as I move myself into position, lining up the young man in my scope, my finger on the trigger ever ready.
"Here he comes," Adam half whispers as he waits for his father to approach.
"Adam?" He asks in anger.
"Hi dad. Surprised to see me alive?"
I see his father but he steps behind some leaves and I offer an angry curse. "Adam, get him to move to the left about two feet," I whisper into his invisible ear piece.
"Adam, I don't have time..."
"Just one question dad, why? Why do you want to kill me?"
"How did you escape by the way?" He asks the kid in anger and I feel my jaw clench.
"I was next door at the time, helping a young wom...you know it doesn't matter. She saved my ass while you tried to have me killed!" He snaps in anger. In truth I can't blame him for venting to his father as in a manner of minutes he'll never speak to him again.
"Why!"
"Because you never agreed with anything that..."
"Child porn dad? You seriously wanted me to look away from that? How could you?"
"You were always a disappointment. We could have made millions together, but you had to do the right thing," he mutters and my teeth grit. I was impressed with Adam Ross the moment I met him, how on earth could his father be anything less?
"Why kill me?"
"Because that way I'd never have to listen to you always trying to get me to stop or do the right thing. I know what is right and I'm going to continue doing what I am doing. Now those two might have missed their opportunity this morning, but trust me, they'll get another chance. I paid them well and you'll soon be dead."
"Actually you're wrong. Goodbye dad. You were always a disappointment to me."
And before another word could be spoken, my finger eases back on the tirgger of my high powered sniper rifle, and my target was met with precision; an expert shot that I am known for. Mr. Ross drops to his son's feet, dead. Adam yanks the wire off his chest, places it in his father's dead hand, quickly extracts the bullet and hurries away before anyone sees what just happened. I quickly take apart my sniper rifle, pack it away and head out of the small maintenance shed and into a waiting cab.
"Dulles, hangar 12 please," I give instructions. My heart is racing and for the first time since I can remember this is one family feud I was happy to get in the middle of. I pull out my blackberry and read Sid's message.
'Mac, what happened?'
'Was set up. Ross had hired Barracuda to take me out after I took out the kid. I got him first.'
'You okay?'
'I'm okay, coming home. Kid is alive; scum is dead. I miss Stella.'
'Mac, thank goodness. See you soon. Call her as soon as you are back. You need her. Sid.'
And he's right, I do need her, more today than I think ever before. "I want to quit and tell her the truth."
I finally reach the airport hangar and quickly get out just as another cab pulls to a stop and Adam rushes toward me.
"Mr. Marshall we'll leave when you are ready," the pilot tells me, forcing Adam to look at me with a smile.
"You are like James Bond," he tells me and I finally reward him with a smile. He pulls out a small packet and hands me the bullet and I quickly stuff it into my inner jacket pocket.
"I don't know how I can ever thank you or repay what you did or...but it was an honor, really Mac it was."
"Adam, you also helped me so thank you," I tell him warmly as I extend my hand.
"If you ever need any more help, you know who to call or email right?" He asks, handing me a piece of paper with his contact information on it. "Please?"
"Adam..."
"You'll call me," he tells me with a firm nod of his head as he turns to leave; forcing me to just shake my head in return, knowing inside that he is right. He's a valuable asset to me now and I know in the future our paths will cross. I offer a small wave in return as I head for the stairs.
"Did you have a good stay in Washington?" The pilot asks me as he prepares to close the door.
"Very enlightening."
~Stella Bonasera, New York, NY~
"I really want to but..." I try.
"I could get Lucy to ask you," Lindsay pipes up.
"That's blackmail," I frown.
"No, it's a desperate plea from a desperate mother," she begs in sorrow. "Please?"
"He'll kill us all right?" Danny frowns. "Just tell me when it was supposed to go down and..."
"Danny if you end up in jail..." Lindsay's voice dies out and I can see these people are as desperate as I think them to be.
"I don't care what he offered you, just help me put him in jail and..." Danny starts.
"I don't usually like to get involved with local law enforcement for obvious reasons," I frown as Lucy finally comes and leans against the doorway with a wondering expression. I look at her and feel my heart break all over again. I hate when emotion is involved and wish I could just push myself back up to my feet and walk right out of here.
"There might be a way," I start slowly as Lindsay tells Lucy to get back in bed.
"But mom..." Lucy pouts as Lindsay hurries after her and it's just me and Danny left.
"I will give my life to keep my family alive," he starts in a low tone. "You just tell me..."
"If you end up in jail their future is doomed. I have an idea but need some time to work this out. I am just across..."
"You can stay next door if you want," Lindsay offers. "The apartment is vacant andwell I'd feel a lot better knowing you were close by."
Once again they have made it impossible for me to refuse and so I simply nod my head and push myself back up. "I need to get a few things and then I'll be back."
Danny hands me my gun and then grasps my hand as I go to take it back.
"Please help us."
"I will."
I quickly take my leave, my heart racing and my mind in turmoil. I think I am doing the right thing and wish I had someone to confide in. I want more than anything to call Mac and ask for help but know inside again that's the last thing I can do. I am alone. Mac can never understand; he can never help me.
Louie Messer is obviously trying to play me for a fool and in this profession that means that I'll be the next target unless I take out Louie first. I hurry outside once again, not aware that I am being watched, my every movement taken into consideration as I rush for the front entrance of my hotel and then up the stairs. I hear some odd shuffling as I pull the door open to my floor and stop, my gun drawn and my heart racing.
If Louie knew they were there then he might be watching and I know I'm not safe no matter what. I listen a bit longer, hear nothing more and then take a few steps into the quiet hallway. Too quiet, I tell myself as I hurry for my hotel room door. I am just about to open it when I hear a noise, quickly turn, gun drawn only to elicit a small cry from another hotel guest.
"Sorry," I offer in a sheepish tone. "NYPD," I lie and the woman quickly nods and hurries past me. I push myself into my hotel room, lock the door and lean against it, heart racing. I rush for the area I have hidden my sniper rifle, retrieve it and am about to open it when two strong arms wrap around me and a smug voice is heard in my ear.
"Welcome home beautiful," he snarls, warm foul breath on my face, making me want to choke. However, I know its kill or be killed so waste no time in bringing my boot heel down hard on his foot, making his grasp on me loosen. He cries out in pain as I quickly use my elbow and force it into his groin.
"Stupid bitch!" He yells as he grabs a handful of hair and jerks my head painfully back. I let out a small cry as I am thrown to the floor, slightly winded. However as he looms over me, my adrenaline takes over. I kick out as his leg, planting a heel into his lower leg and he cries out in pain once more before I twist around kick his other knee and he's almost falling backward.
I claw my way toward the front door and he's up on his feet. I finally twist myself around just as he lunges. I thankfully roll out of the way and he crashes into the floor. He shoots out an arm but I quickly grab it, twist it back, break his wrist and he cries out in pain. I use whatever force I can find and punch him hard in the eyes, making them water and his head snap back.
I surge to my feet race for my other bag that has another weapon in it, manage to get my fingers on it just as he grabs my shirt with his uninjured wrist. But I was able to grab the gun so just as he manages to wrap my in his grubby hands, I twist around to face him with my concealed weapon.
"I'm gonna enjoy this..." he sneers as his mouth leans in forward to mine.
"So am I," I snarl as I pull the trigger, plant the silenced shot into his heart and he offers one last gasp before he falls down dead.
I push him back and fall onto to the bed, breathing hard, wiping some blood from my nose with my sleeve. However, if Louie has sent someone after me then he'll be sending someone after the Messer's.
"I'll bet their place is bugged," I huff as I quickly lean forward, dig the bullet from the chest of my victim and rush around to gather all my things. I had only paid for one night and already checked out so when my lone bag is packed I hang up the do not disturb sign and race for the front door.
"I have to save them," I lightly pant as I race back into the street, knock a few people over but push myself back up and keep going, my heart racing at top speed. I hurry into their building and dont care if the stairs are wet as I race for the door and hurry up them.
I reach the top floor when I stop to try to catch my breath.
"Danny!" I hear Lindsay shriek as I see the door open and hear odd noises.
"Oh no," I dare as I push myself toward their apartment and hurry inside.
"Stella," Lindsay calls to me as I race to their side, Danny on the floor with a bloody face and her with blood on her shoulder.
"Lindsay you have been shot," I mention in a panicked tone.
"He took Lucy," she sobs trying to help Danny up.
"What? Who?"
"Louie!"
"This place is bugged. I was just attacked also and..."
"Please," Lindsay begs as her bloody fingers latch onto the collar of my jacket and hold me firmly in place. "You have to get her back. Please bring Lucy back to us before he really hurts her."
"Okay Danny are you shot?"
"No, Lindsay she..."
"I took the bullet for him," she sobs.
"Lindsay I need you to go to the ER and..."
"I can't..." she starts in protest.
"You'll be safe there and I need to concentrate on..."
"I'm coming with you," Danny huffs.
"That was a given," I frown.
"Where you do think he might have taken her? One of the houses?"
"Possible," Danny replies with a slight wince as he finally stands up, holding his chest in pain. "Ribs."
Lindsay wraps her arms around him and gives him a hug and he kisses her cheek. "I will find Lucy," Danny promises her. "I'll not let my family be destroyed. Linds, I promise I'll bring her home."
I look with admiration at the couple before me and know for the first time since I took an assignment that to not fulfill my original request is the right thing to do. Haven't been on the good side of the law in a long time, and it feels pretty good. Maybe I have Mac to thank for that, I offer in false truth.
"We have to go now, the longer we wait..."
"Please let me..." Lindsay starts.
"Linds you'll be safer in the ER. Just tell them it was a robbery or something and get yourself treated. Go to Dr. Adams. He's our friend and will help you with hardly any questions asked."
"Stella, please...please help save my family."
"I give you my word," I offer the younger woman before me with a firm smile as I gently squeeze her hand. "Where is your car?"
"I have something faster," Danny mentions as he races into the bedroom and comes back with a leather jacket on and a set of keys. Lindsay calls a cab on the way down and the three of us are soon in the back alley. I look at the motorcycle before me with a frown as I hand Danny my sniper rifle case and just shake my head. He gently stores it away in one of the leather side bags and we both watch Lindsay get into a cab and race away.
"Just hold on," he mentions as I climb on behind him and tell him to go. I try to picture in my mind that it's Mac in front of me and I'm holding onto the man I want in my life; instead of where I really am. Chasing a man who holds an innocent child hostage; a helpless pawn in a deadly game.
We race further into the night, New York passing us by rapidly, keeping time with my racing heart.
"Do you know which house or where he might have taken her?"
"I think so," Danny shouts back as we head toward a rather unsavory part of town. I am assuming that Louie will probably surmise that if he sent a large man to take me out that I am out of the way and that he'll keep Lucy as leverage until he can come back and finish the job, I intend to make sure that doesnt happen.
We reach an area just outside of the main part of the city, an area not frequented by descent people and Danny stops his bike.
"He should be in the warehouse at the end of the row," he half whispers.
"Danny I know you are concerned but in order for me to do my job and do it well I need less distraction and you need to stay here."
"Damn it I can fight and I want my daughter!" He insists.
I look into the determined blue eyes before me and I know I cannot deny him his fatherly duty. So against my better judgment I just nod my head yes and reach for my piece. He slightly flinches but I take his hand and put my handgun into it.
"You might need this, ever fired one?"
"I have," he frowns. "Promise me that..."
"We'll get you both back to Lindsay alive, I promised her that. I won't let either one of you die."
He offers a firm nod with his head and then I reach for my sniper rifle. I take what I need and then follow after Danny, keeping to the shadows which will provide us cover and hopefully the element of surprise.
We near the last warehouse and my heart is near critical. I can't fail, if I fail then I not only fail them I fail myself. I see faint lights coming from inside and a few shadows dancing around in the distance.
"No noise," I offer Danny one last time as we quietly make our way around the back toward a darkened door, which I am praying will be open. Thankfully it is but now I am wondering if that was too easy. If he expects Danny, let's hope he's not expecting me.
"We need to split up," I whisper.
"But you said outside..."
"Danny, this is too easy. I think he's expecting you but hopefully not me. If we can..."
"Right, draw him out then you can take him down and I can get Lucy."
"That's the rough plan. Just keep your wits about you and don't do anything rash. No matter how long it seems I might be taking, just trust that when this is over you two will be going to see Lindsay together and alive."
"Not well?" He smirks.
"Can't promise that," I huff; as I won't be going home without a nasty souvenir.
"Meet you after the party's over."
I watch him head in one direction and then carefully make my way in the other. My eyes have grown accustomed to dark spaces over the years so I am thankful when they adjust fast; that and the fact that I have drops that will help to dilate them faster, giving me, hopefully the upper edge.
I near the first window and peer through it. I see Lucy Messer loosely bound to a chair, crying and her brother and another man talking angrily a few feet away. I am assuming one is Louie and I narrow my gaze at the one who has a similar resemblance to the man I am trying to help.
"Bastard!" I whisper in contempt as I stop. I don't know where Danny is but this is a good place to set up.
Then my world stops.
"Welcome brother," I hear Louie's smug tone and quickly look back up to see Danny being dragged into the room by two men, the gun I gave him tossed onto the floor, a few feet past Lucy.
"Dman it!" I curse.
"Danny!" She lightly cries.
"Shut up!" Louie growls.
"Lucy sweetie it's okay," Danny tries as one of the thugs lands a hard blow to his mid-section and he sags to the floor, Lucy crying harder.
"Stop it!" She yells at Louie who only looks at her in hatred.
"Stop yelling at her," Danny huffs as I try to move myself into a better position.
"Where is the other Messer?" Louie sneers.
"Someplace safe," Danny lightly wheezes.
"Yeah well not for long," Louie laughs.
"I know about your plan," Danny tries again, stalling to buy me time.
"Money well spent I would have guessed. But when I heard her confession I had her dealt with. Good help is hard to find."
"Why the hell pin this all on me!" Danny growls in anger.
"Because I'm sick of always wondering when you are going to turn me in so I figured I'd beat you to it!" Louie snaps.
"You'll never win this!" Danny shouts in return.
"Check this place!" Louie directs his two men and I know I'm running out of time. I quickly finish what I need to when I hear a voice behind me.
"What the hell!" He shouts as he fires off a shot that barely misses me. I take out my spare sidearm and fire off a shot, taking him down.
Then all hell breaks loose.
"Upstairs!" Louie shouts as he rushes for Danny who's trying to get the gun I gave him. I am about to fire off a shot at Louie when Danny's leg kicks at him, taking him to the ground.
"Damn it!" I lightly curse as I hear angry footsteps heading in my direction. I look into the main area and see Lucy struggling to get herself free as Danny and Louie continue to roll around on the ground trying to get the upper hand on each other; a small life hanging in the balance.
Just when I think I have Louie in the clear, a shot is fired in my direction, missing me by only a few feet. I crouch down in place and fire off a few shots, my sniper rifle exposed and vulnerable.
"HELP ME!" Lucy shouts and I know Louie is getting the upper hand and I have to two save those two lives no matter what. A shot is fired and grazes my side, causing me to curse in anger as I fire off a few shots in the dimly lit area before me and hear a cry followed by a thud.
The second one races toward me but he's left himself in the open, facing a skilled marksman and I have no trouble putting him down.
"NO! DADDY!" Lucy shouts just as I push myself back into position and see Louie standing over Danny, gun in hand ready to fire.
"Night night Danny boy," Louie snarls as I take my aim.
Danny looks at Lucy and closes his eyes, I'm sure offering a quick prayer. I ease back on the trigger and before Louie can take his shot, a small thwump is heard and he falls to the ground beside Danny, the expert shot between his eyes. I offer a heavy sigh of relief as I stand up to reveal myself and watch as Danny rushes for Lucy and sets her free. I waste no time in quickly packing up my tools and racing for the entrance I came in through.
I reach the door and offer a small gasp as Danny's hand touches my shoulder and I offer them a brief smile as I take my gun from Danny's hand.
"Rachel?" Lucy asks with a frown as she brushes some tears away, carefully held in her father's strong arms.
"Its Stella sweetie," I smile as I give her a kiss on the cheek. "We need to go and see your mother."
"Can you drive a bike?" Danny asks in concern. "I don't want to leave either behind."
"I can. I'll see you all later."
"Stella, come to the hospital to say goodbye to Lindsay," Danny lightly begs. And after all this, I know I can't just walk away from them now. So with a quick nod I watch Danny take Lucy and head for Louie's truck while I hurry back to Louie, retrieve my custom bullet and then hurry for the bike.
The ride to the hospital is one of nervous anticipation. I have never felt so needed for anything outside of shaving Jessica's life one time before and offering assistance to Sheldon when he was in dire straights. These people didn't care what I did; they accepted what I told them at face value and in their darkest hour turned to me for help, knowing the authorities would probably arrive too late.
I reach the hospital and with some hesitation head inside, small rifle case in hand. I spy Lindsay and Danny in a warm embrace, Lucy between them, tears and blood taking a backseat to love and life. Lindsay lifts her head, spies me and I offer a small smile.
"Stella," she half whispers as she breaks free from Danny's grasp and hurries toward me, her arm now bandaged.
"I can't thank you enough," she lightly cries and as she hugs me close, my eyes instantly water. I offer a small wince and she quickly pulls back.
"Just a scratch."
"Dr. Adams is a friend, please let him help you," Lindsay half begs as Lucy comes and stands beside her.
"Stella?" She asks again and I just nod.
"I like it better than Rachel. Can I call my Barbie, Stella?" She asks and I just smile as I kneel down and give her a big hug. Lindsay calls over Dr. Adams who kindly takes me into another room and tends to my side.
"You have good friends," the older man tells me in a warm tone.
"Better than I deserve," I mumble with a slight frown.
"That's all of us," he smiles back as he finishes with my side.
A few minutes later I am back outside and ready to head for home; wanting so desperately to put New York behind me.
"Are you sure you can't at least stay one more day?" Lindsay half begs. "We have more than enough room at our real home."
"You two have more than extended kindness to me, more than I deserve," I finish in a quiet tone.
"You save our lives and our daughter when it counted most," Danny tells me firmly. "Kindness was expected."
"It was appreciated," I reply and Lindsay hugs me again. She pulls out one of Danny's business cards and puts it in my hand.
"If you ever need anything and I mean anything, please call, I don't care the time or whatever, but I am here for you. I do mean that," Lindsay tells me in truth. "You can't understand what it means to a mother for someone to risk their life and future to help keep their child safe."
"Thank you."
"And no matter where your mother is right now, I know she'd be proud and is smiling at you. And your prince charming, he's one lucky man."
"I'm the lucky one," I whisper. But I'll soon lose him. My eyes well up again as I finally take my leave; turning to see Lindsay holding her daughter and Danny's arm wrapped around his wife's shoulder. I burn the picture to memory knowing if I ever need a safe place for myself or Jessica or even Sheldon to hide on this earth, I will call them without hesitation. Since Lindsay had brought my small carry-on I have what I need and take a cab back to JFK where my private plan is waiting to take me back home.
I get into the cab and lean my head back on the seat, my heart finally starting to slow but my brain in turmoil as to what happens now.
"I have to see Mac, I miss him so much," I lightly whisper as we finally reach the private airplane hangar.
"How was your stay in New York Ms. Stetson?" The pilot asks as I slowly climb aboard the small plane.
"Life changing."
~Mac Taylor, Zurich Switzerland~
"Don left already?"
"This morning. He was concerned about you as I was, but he'll see you in a few days."
Sid doesn't even have to say it as I want into the room as he knows by the look on my face things didn't go as planned. He offers a warm pat on the back, is eyes full of concern and wonder. He takes a few steps back as if looking me over to see what is missing and what needs to be repaired.
"Should I ground you to your room?" He asks with arched brows as he comes closer, standing before me with crossed arms.
"For the rest of my life," I huff in misery. I drop my two cases and then head into the living room and slump down on a nearby chair, Sid taking the one opposite me.
"What happened?"
"I was set up. At least if this kid hadn't helped me turned the table on his old man you'd be ordering my coffin right now. How the hell did I let myself get played?" I curse as I lean forward with a slight wince.
Sid looks at me in suspicion before leaving the room without a word and I know what's coming next. I slowly take off my jacket and sweater and then my t-shirt; finishing just as he arrives back with his version of a first aid kit.
"Every time you try to fix yourself you make a damn mess," he lightly huffs as he gently peels back the damp band-aid and stares at the bloody mess with a frown.
"Practice makes perfect right?" I wince under the cleaning liquid.
"You let the kid go in the end right? Don't think he'll be a liability?"
"This kid saved my ass twice," I frown as Sid continues to work on my side. "Could be useful in the future. In any case, hearing his father I...I couldn't just turn my back on him. Damn I wish I could walk away from all this and offer Stella a normal future," I stammer and Sid looks at me with a warm smile as he finally stitches up my side and places a professional covering over it.
"What?"
"Never heard you talk about another woman after a job."
"Guess I am growing up," I frown as I pull my t-shirt back over my head. I am about to get it all the way on when Sid yanks it out of my hands.
"Growing up? Right! It's got blood on it Mac," he scolds and I smile. "Call her right now or just send a text. Tell her you're thinking of her or something else that's sappy. But get dressed first."
I offer a small laugh but shake my head as I finally push myself up out of the chair and head for my bedroom, pausing before I completely disappear.
"Glad you came back to me alive," Sid mentions in a fatherly tone.
"Thanks," I offer and Sid stops and looks at me in wonder.
"What for?"
"For always being there when I need you."
"That's my job Master Taylor," he teases before taking his leave. I hurry into my office, take out my personal blackberry and type in Stella's email address; my anxiety finally subsiding and happy anticipation now taking hold.
'Stella, Zurich is pretty boring without you. Might need to look for another job. Can't wait to see you. Mac.'
~Stella Bonasera, en route to Kalamata, Greece~
My plane finally touches down in Kalamata and my head is lightly throbbing. I am eager to get home but more eager to text Mac and see what he is up to. However, I need to hear his voice so settle in my mind that on the trip back home I'll call him.
"Sheldon?" I call out as I push my way into his private office.
"Back here," he calls out and I slowly make my way toward the back to see him finishing up with a young girl. I stand back and let him finish and the young girl is then gathered up by her mother.
"Thank you Dr. Hawkes," the mother offers, smiling at me before she takes her daughter and leaves.
"I know that look, what happened?"
"It was a set-up," I lightly frown as I slowly sit down on his examining table and lift my shirt so he can examine my side.
"Looks professional."
"Was treated in a hospital in New York."
"Set up?"
"Ah it was a mess," I lightly huff and he knows not to press for too many details. We talk a bit longer and then I tell him my plan to go out of town for a few more days to visit Mac and then I'll come back and collect Alexander. I offer a hug and then take my leave.
I pull out my blackberry and dial Mac's number and wait for his voice to come live on the other end.
"Stella?" He asks warmly and my lips automatically split into a wide smile. I close my eyes and lean my head back on the seat of the cab.
"Hi Mac," I whisper with a contented sigh.
"Everything okay?" He asks in concern; forcing my brain to picture his handsome face and warm blue eyes.
"It is now," I lightly whisper. "I hear you are in danger of being unemployed so I am hoping I can get a deal before you seek something more viable."
"I was hoping you'd tell me that," he offers in an eager tone and I can tell he's smiling. "When?"
"I just got back and I'll need tomorrow to finish a few things up but I'll be there on Thursday? Is that too soon?"
"Too soon?" He smiles. "Not soon enough," he tells me in a serious tone. "Can't wait to see you. I miss you."
"I miss you too," I reply with a large smile. We talk more about what Zurich is offering right now; no mention of work and I know calling Mac was the best decision I made all day. And with the thought of seeing Mac very soon the rest of the day seems to pass with ease and my mind and heart are in anticipation of good things to come; negative thoughts finally taking a back seat. See you soon Mac!
~Geneva~
'Sir I have word that both Taylor and Bonasera didn't fulfill their latest missions.'
'The reason?'
'Human compassion.'
'I'm willing to bet I can buy that off. How much do you think trust is worth?'
'Sir?'
'Ten Million? Here is what I want done. Starting today you document everything on The Marine and Aphrodite and when the time is right, I give you my word you'll see just how easy loyalty can be changed. And on that day, I will have won.'
A/N: okay so action wrapped up for a bit and on to more smacked fluff and a trip to Zurich. Dont worry you'll be seeing Adam and the Messer's again soon but lots to come before then including them building their bond before the showdown. Stay tuned and please review.
PS: Right Next Door updated next...and remember to head over to my SMACKED forum for previews, links and episode discussions.