Chapter Eleven

David Rossi's lips were a mere breath away from hers when the crack of the hotel window and a bullet buzzed by them.

Olivia knew it was totally naive to think she might actually make good on the fantasies she was having about Rossi.

She pushed him aside only to have him shield her body with his.

"Rossi, just what the hell do you think you're doing? She edged her way to the wall next to the window.

He stared at her and shook his head, his weapon at the ready. "What am I doing? Lady, I was about to ask you the same thing!"

Another bullet pinged through the glass.

They were effectively pinned down.

"I can draw his fire," she told him, "You can get a shot."

He looked at her and shook his head, "I'll draw the fire – YOU get the shot!"

Olivia swallowed her first sarcastic remark. Rossi was in danger and arguing over who took the risk of getting shot wasn't going to do her any good. "Deal – but so help me Rossi if you don't take the kill shot…"

He snorted. "Woman, who do you think you're talking to?"

Olivia smiled.

He stared at her. "You said that on purpose!"

Olivia chuckled, "Damn right!" She popped up beneath the curtains as David took his shot. In less than a second, the gunman lay behind the surveillance van in the parking lot.

The hotel was on the outskirts of New Orleans, and the seedier side of town. Their exchange of gunfire was so common in the area it barely stirred any curiosity from the few occupants.

Together they made their way towards the dead man. Two agents lay with their throats slashed in the open van.

Olivia eased the gunman over so they could get a look at him.

"Israeli," Rossi told her.

Olivia glanced around the area. A curtain moved in one of the upper rooms.

Just then another door slammed.

"Sounds like they came loaded for bear," Olivia yelled as they ducked for cover.

From around the corner they could hear two men talking in Arabic.

She watched as Rossi bristled.

A shot caught the edge of the fender where Rossi was crouched.

"So much for your romantic dinner," Olivia winked at him.

He grinned as he chambered a bullet. "Not having fun?"

"I'll say one thing for you," she worked the chamber of her own gun.

Rossi pressed his back against the van, as their visitors opened fire, "What's that?"

"You're never boring."

They hadn't exchanged rounds long when things suddenly got very quiet.

Olivia slid another clip in.

Rossi indicated he was going to make his way around the van and get eyes on their target.

Olivia grabbed his arm and shook her head. There was no way she could let him out of her sight. If something happened to him it would mean her ass. Besides she would never forgive herself.

They sat pressed against the van as the silence ticked on.

"Any guesses on what our friends out there are up too?" he whispered.

"Yeah-reinforcements," She answered. She smiled as Rossi cursed beneath his breath.

"You know two can play at this game." She reached up and kissed his cheek, "Cover me, gorgeous."

With that she rolled out from the van and toward another vehicle. At this vantage point she still had a clear view of Rossi and a better angle at the gunmen.

Rossi fired as more shots rang out, giving her the cover she needed. She pulled her cell and began shouting coordinates.

"How long before help arrives," Rossi yelled between the ping and pop of the gunfire surrounding them.

Olivia ejected a clip and slid another in its place; she fired in the direction of the assailants and watched as at least one of the men fell.

She grinned, "Why? Aren't you having fun?"

While she couldn't hear it, she was absolutely certain Rossi was cursing again. He fired and his target landed face down in the dirt. He waited as another bullet grazed his cover.

Olivia knew she had to get a clear shot. At least out here, she was back in her element. "You're a tough date, David Rossi!"

He rolled his eyes, "How did you become such a smartass?"

"How did you recognize the trait?"

It was at that moment Olivia realized; only David Rossi could laugh in the middle of a gun fight.

"Relax," she jerked her head, motioning to a line of buildings in the distance behind them, "the Calvary's here."

A large shadow passed overhead as the sleek line of a Blackhawk helicopter flew in.

Rossi looked at her and back at the copter as it sped overhead; then back at her.

"What the hell was that?" He yelled.

"A favor," she yelled back.

Another bullet pinged against the van. The assailants were attempting to leave when the Blackhawk opened fire. None of them made it.

Olivia waved as the sleek machine flew back into the distant.

Rossi stared after it, "Do I even want to know?" He asked.

Olivia shook her head, and made a mental tic mark on her side, "Probably not."