A/N: Apologies for the delay-real life took over for a few weeks and kicked the muse out. She's back now, but not completely happy with the ending of the chapter so apologies for that too. Until next time-ya'll are the best-PCGirl
Aaron turned off the lights to his truck as he pulled onto the road. He'd been on the side of this damn mountain for most of the day and had been ready to call it a night. Had figured he'd go back to John's place and shoot the breeze with him, do their normal routine when it came to a case that seemed to be getting away from them instead of getting closer to solving.
He and John had been in deep together many times, but nothing like this. Nothing where he watched his friend's emotions pass over his face so easily. He'd never pictured John as the parenting type, while it looked good on the man what would look even better was to have the mother of his child by his side.
Flicking his flashlight at each mailbox he saw the house number and pulled onto the shoulder and readied his gun before he even got out of the car. In a normal case he would check the perimeter, but he felt he didn't have time. This was one of those times they trained you at Quantico for—where speed was more important than security.
Walking to the window he saw Natalie asleep on the couch, he smiled at reaching her before Jared did. Going in he leaned down and woke her softly, "Hey gorgeous," he spoke, his southern accent coming out.
"John?" she asked and her eyes fluttered to see a blonde male with striking green eyes looking back at her instead.
"No, ma'am. The name is Aaron, but I'll get you to him soon enough—and your boy also."
"The hell you will," spoke a voice behind them and Aaron looked up to see another man standing in the doorway.
"Jared Banks, I presume," he said as he stood slowly, his gun still in his hand.
"Put your gun on the floor and kick it over here," he said, not impressed that he was known. "So who are you? A newbie with the LPD? A friend of McBain's from the FBI? How'd you tell John it was me that took you, you slut," he spoke as he looked at Natalie who had fallen back asleep.
"He's just that good," smiled Aaron when he felt his back pocket buzz and knew the calvary was here.
"Damn it," cursed John as he hung up the phone and looked at his brother. "Something's wrong. He didn't answer."
"Maybe he's just taking care of Natalie and couldn't get to the phone," said Michael as he held on while John took a quick left and shut off the headlights.
"No, it's a different phone—the one the FBI gives you in case of emergencies only. Not answering lets your partner know you are in danger. Take this—only use it if you have to," he said as he pulled out his extra service piece from the glove box and handed it to Michael and jumped out of the car and went towards the house.
"John—what are you going to do if you have to shoot Jared?" whispered Michael as they got close to the house.
John hadn't thought of that—had only one thought on his mind on the way up—to get Natalie to safety and never let her go ever again. He could make out the figures in the cabin before he got near the window, and went towards the back—finding a door unlocked he entered, motioning for Michael to stop before coming in.
He listened to Aaron's taunting Jared and remembered not so long ago when it was Jared doing the taunting to Mitch. And yet now he knew none of the taunts were real. That John had probably foiled their plans by going to Napa.
"You know this is the second plan of yours where you were to bring Natalie to Mitch that's failed. What do you have to say for yourself? I've heard what he does to his followers that fail him—they seem to leave the flock and are never heard from again."
"Who says it's failed. I'll be gone long before McBain gets up here—and you, well you'll be dead," he laughed.
"You sure about that?" he questioned as he made eye contact with John and smiled.
John almost felt like the world slowed down as he watched Jared shoot the gun at Aaron. Later he'd think how Michael was wrong—he never second guessed about shooting the man and watched both men fall.
John nodded as the doctor walked out of the exam room and went in, looking at Aaron now sitting on the bed with his arm in a sling, "How are you feeling?"
"Sore, but I'll be ok. Besides—chicks dig scars," he grinned. "How's Natalie?"
"Still being examined—she hasn't woke up but Michael's pretty sure it's just exhaustion from the whole ordeal. Listen—I never got to say—,"
"Stop," cut off Aaron. "I was doing my job. This is what I'm trained to do—it just happened to be that this time is was to help my friend. That's all."
"Yeah, I guess so," smirked John. "You planning on sticking around?" glad at the thought of having someone who always had his back at work again.
"You know—I just might. Irish and Romeo together again," he laughed.
John nodded and gave a half grin, "Let me go check on Natalie. I'll see you around."
"See ya," he said and watched his friend leave and thought about how it wouldn't be that bad to settle down and see what else life had to offer.