Disclaimer: *see chapter one*

A/N 1: Hey everyone, I'm back with chapter 11! I swear it seems like I just started this story, I can't believe it's grown this much! And no if you're wondering, that was not a subtle way of saying this fic has reached it's end -it still has a few more chapters to go. :) But like this one, it may take a week or so till the next chapter makes an appearence (I'm still working on my research paper.) Stick with me though, there's still plenty of twists and turns left -a biggie in this chapter alone!

So . . . read, reveiw and enjoy this one till then! (I think it's the longest chapter so far.)

The sun was quickly disappearing from the sky, the usual clear blue replaced with a mix of golds, reds and oranges. Calleigh sighed, her gaze drawn to the bag in the passenger seat, her thoughts running rampant, silently praying their plan worked and that no one would get hurt. Shaking her head she grabbed the bag, quickly sliding out of the Hummer and began moving towards the warehouse. Despite agreeing to the meeting, Calleigh kept her guard up, glancing around as she crossed the empty lot, the eerie quiet only adding to her anxiety and the sinking feeling that Saris had something up his sleeve. The large metal door creaked loudly as she pushed it open, her footsteps echoing around her as she walked into the center of the room.

"I was right," he stated, drawing her attention to the far end of the room. Calleigh swallowed, keeping her face impassive and tone even.

"About what?"

"You're a fair piece of ass -I can see why Caine was so desperate to get you back." The narcissistic tone of his voice; was one Calleigh had encountered many times before. She smirked, not missing the once over he gave her –his gaze predatory.

"Where's my daughter?" Her piercing green eyes never left his face. Though as he approached, she noticed the tell-tale lump of a holster beneath his blazer. When he stopped a few feet from her she prompted him again, this time with a slight edge to her tone. "Where is she?"

Ron chuckled, the sound hollow to Calleigh's ears. "Not so fast Lieutenant, where's Caine?"

Calleigh shrugged one shoulder, "Hell if I know, I think he was headed for a scene down in the glades. The key word there being think, I'm not about to get my daughter back, only for you to kill her father." She watched him nod, accepting her answer before he spoke again.

"And the rest of your little posse?"

She exhaled, exasperated by this whole cat and mouse game. "Lookin' for leads on the goons you hired to kidnap my daughter –along with giving my father a minor concussion."

He smirked, "Funny, why do I get the feeling you're lying to me, and that this whole place is already surrounded?"

Quirking a brow, Calleigh shrugged again. "Paranoia . . . karma, take your pick." Her green eyes caught the subtle movement of him reaching for his weapon, the bag of cash she held dropping to the floor and quickly being replaced with her own gun. "Drop it," she warned, holding the barrel level to his chest.

"Not gonna happen," he replied then called out. "C'mon Caine, I know you're lurking around here somewhere, you wouldn't risk her life!"

"And you're outta your damn mind," she stated. "I told you he's not here . . . now give me my daughter, or closest you'll get to Brazil, is the news reports about local gang connections."

"You'd have to disarm me first," he taunted. For several strained seconds, the two were locked in a standoff; the sound of approaching police sirens breaking the silence.

"Guess he couldn't help himself, you've got about twenty seconds before they burst through that door . . . . tick-toc." Calleigh stated. Ron glared at her, his body tensing as Horatio called out to the blonde.

"Calleigh?"

"In here," she called back. Her green eyes shifting to glance over her shoulder, it was in that split second that Ron struck, using a backhanded slap and the butt off his gun to knock Calleigh's from her hands. The shock in her eyes lasted only seconds, Ron attacking again with pistol-whip to her face -which sent Calleigh sprawling in the opposite direction of her gun. It was then, as she managed to turn onto her back, her left cheek stinging from a fresh gash, that Horatio, Frank and Eric appeared -weapons drawn and trained on Ron.

"Back away from her . . . now." Horatio warned, his tone low and his dark eyes shooting daggers at Saris.

"You alright Calleigh?" Eric asked, glancing at the woman he considered like another sister. Much like Horatio, Calleigh shot daggers at Saris from her position on the floor.

"I've been better," she replied bitterly. Knowing she could do little more than shift her weight from one elbow to the other, her left leg having tucked beneath her right as she fell. Horatio meanwhile, had continued to move towards the center of the room, Eric flanking him while Ryan and Frank stayed put. As they moved to step again, Ron spoke, his tone pointed.

"One more move and I'll shoot her," Horatio and Eric froze -in her current position, Calleigh had no chance of escape- even if one of them managed to shoot Ron, the bastard could still get a shot off and possibly kill her before dying himself.

"It's me you want Ron, let her and the girl go."

Ron smirked, meeting Horatio's gaze. "I don't think so, not after everything you've done to me –took from me." He paused, his gaze flicking to where Calleigh lay then back to Horatio. "You turned Julia against me; I think it's only fair you get to feel that pain . . . to have to choose who you love more." His voice dropped to an almost sinister whisper, "Your daughter . . . or her mother."

The room went deathly quiet, a silent battle of wills passing between Horatio and Ron, with neither man willing to back down. Eric, Ryan and Frank could do nothing but wait and watch, not willing to risk making the situation worse. Calleigh on the other hand had had enough, and was willing to do whatever she could to save her child; her voice soft but strong cut through the silence.

"Horatio,"

She pivoted her head slightly, her green eyes seeking, her position from the floor making it difficult, as he stood slightly off to the right behind her. His blue eyes met hers, the contact lasting only mere seconds, but just long enough to have a conversation.

"No, you and I both know he won't keep his word." H replied a loud, his gaze returning to Ron. The blonde however had made up her mind –she was not going to let Caylee die, even if it meant her own life.

Her green eyes returned to Ron, "Where's Caylee?"

"Calleigh," Horatio pled. Eric, Frank and Ryan's faces quickly paling as realization hit them, helpless to stop what was unfolding.

"Where is she you bastard?" Calleigh prompted.

Ron smirked again, "I don't think Horatio agrees with your decision."

"But you do," Calleigh countered. "This was your plan all along, even before you set up the drop. To get your hands on both of us, kill me and make him suffer . . . to have to see me every time he looked at Caylee." Her voice was even; knowing.

"Smart girl," Ron stated. "Except for one key detail . . . even if he manages to find the brat, it may already be too late."

"And why is that?" Cal replied.

"She's adrift at sea. Forty-eight hours in the Miami heat . . . no food, no water, hell she might already be shark bait Too bad you'll never know"

He paused, turning his gun on Calleigh; firing off two rounds before the others could react. The crack of gunfire echoed throughout the room, masking Calleigh's groan of pain as the bullets made contact with her chest. In a split second Horatio reacted, firing his own weapon and pumping three shots into Ron Saris, the dark crimson blood appearing before his body even hit the ground. Weapon still in hand, Horatio raced to Calleigh's side, the other three too shocked to move.

"Oh my God," Eric muttered, his right hand -which still grasped his gun- dropping to his side; the other coming up to cover his mouth. Ryan and Frank wore the same shocked expression of pain, not even sure how to word a reaction. All three turned to watch Horatio, the six-foot tall redhead dropping to his knees beside Calleigh, his gun slipping from his grasp onto the concrete floor; blocking her face from their view.

"Calleigh," he stated softly, wiping a lock of hair from her eyes. "Calleigh?" For what seemed like an eternity to Horatio -though in reality it was only a few seconds- he waited, exhaling a breath of relief when Calleigh's chest rose. Her green eyes opened, locking with his concerned blue, easily taking the hand he held out to her and sat up. "You alright?" he asked.

"Yeah, thank God for Kevlar," she answered with a tight smile. Hearing her voice, a voice they thought they'd never hear again, Eric, Ryan and Frank jogged over to Horatio's side. Seeing the look of disbelief on their faces Calleigh shook her head, allowing Horatio to help her stand. "C'mon guys, did you really think I'd walk in here without some insurance?"

TBC . . .

A/N 2: There ya have it, did you enjoy the twist? I could've been mean and stopped after he shot her, but I figured a week long wait might kill ya'll. ;) Leave me your thoughts! :)