Chapter Eleven part B

Checkmate.

A/N: I wrote this yesterday and was actually trying to upload it the whole day, but has been having trouble. Yay that it's up today!

Every muscle in his body tensed, ready for the bullet to hit the pain to follow. Sands relaxed only slightly when he did not feel this.

Bryan Russell lowered his gun and watched as the new leader of the cartel dropped. Bethany looked at him in shock. "Just because my former partner was corrupted CIA doesn't mean I am," he said bluntly. "You don't get out of here I'll kill you. You go back to your cartel and I'll let Sands kill you. Got it?"

Guns dropped around the church and the men started out. Bethany was still standing in shock. "No... You just ruined EVERYTHING, Bryan. Do you KNOW how long it took to do that? We could have had it all."

"Could have, should have, didn't," Sands said as he pulled away from El who stepped back out of the livid CIA agent's way. "What the hell WAS that, Bryan?"

"That was a rouse that El and I thought up."

"You're an asshole. You're both assholes."

"Then we fit right in with you," Bryan answered him with a grin, even though he knew the other couldn't see it. He put a hand on Sands' shoulder. "Come on. Bethy, you've got a right to fair trial, of course, but it's not promising."

"No... I won't go back," she whispered. She turned to run and Sands had his hand on Bryan's gun before anyone knew what was happen and the shot echoed.

"No one screws me over, Beth. So sorry. Well, maybe not."

Bryan sighed. "I'm really sorry about all this, Sheldon. We should have let you in on it but it was all rather last minute."

Sands nodded. "Yeah, I know how you work. You, El, I'm still pissed off at."

El shrugged. "What was it you said before? I have nothing to live for."

"And is that still right?" the dark haired American asked, turning his head to El with such accuracy that the mariachi was almost certain that he was looking at him. "No, didn't think so. So was the whole 'taking out the blind gunfighter' thing just a load of shit?"

"No. I've been asked to do it, but I won't. You'll be taken back to America and we'll do what we can for you, Sands. I've seen you in action and you're perfectly capable to go back into your old job as a field agent. We'll have to send a partner along with you, but you'll still be where you always liked it."

"What? I owe you now?"

"No. Just get your lazy ass moving."

"Sure thing," Sands answered as he felt his knees betray him and he crashed down to the floor.

El chuckled, receiving a strange look from the only American left standing. "Don't worry about him. He'll be all right. I told you what all's happen to him."

"True." Bryan smiled a bit as he leaned down to pull Sands' arm over one shoulder, the mariachi doing the same on the other side. "At least I know he trusts us both."

"Why's that?"

"Sheldon Sands is never vulnerable in front of people he doesn't trust. If he'd had even the slightest bit of question still left, he'd have shot us both and then collapsed."

"Very comforting."

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"If either of you would rather change your minds, feel free."

"Bryan. Lave them alone. You've asked that five times since we've walked to the gates," Sands growled in an agitated tone. They had been waiting at the airport for two hours and he was ready to get back to the States. He'd come, he'd killed, time to go home and see what the people back "home" could be used for. He suppressed a groan. Time to face his father, but that would come much later... Hopefully.

"Just offering."

"Thank you," Ramirez responded. "I'm perfectly happy here. I may head up to see some old friends though in a couple months, and if so I'll call."

"And you, El Mariachi?" Bryan asked with a grin.

El smiled a bit. "My wife and daughter's graves are here in Mexico. I will not leave that."

"You may someday," Sands piped in. "Come on, Russell. We don't have all day."

Bryan smiled and muttered an apology as he followed his impatient friend to the gate to board. He had a silent fear that this was only the beginning, but that was to be seen.

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A/N: I may make a sequel, but there are only very very vague ideas in my head for that. They're not clearcut yet. All I know is that Sands' father will be in it. If anyone's read my PotC stories, you know how I am with working on family relationships within the story lines. Hehe... It's one of the most important things in life, so it disserves to be touched on. Anyway, see you next time if I end up writing it! Ta

Raphe1: I'm sorry, I'd write more but I really stretched for the end, and when I don't feel it flowing it ends up sucking, and I don't want that. "Just bad writing," as Mort Rainey said. Lol. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. I'll still be writing on other fandoms if you'd like to read them! :) Sooner or later I'll probably write that sequel.

Empath89: It was all a trick to get Bethany and the cartel! Yay! Haha! I wouldn't make El betray Sands. I just don't think he really would, not like that at least. He'd never help the cartel. Glad you liked it :)

Who?: One hint about my stories: cliffhangers are around every bend. Hehe... I love 'em!

Sly-chan: I've been called evil a bit lately...hmm... Hehe. You hear and obey, eh? Write my English paper for me! J/k... Can you believe that? She gave us an assignment before school even started... ::sob::

LaVieSansAmour: Grumpy, jerky, a complete a-hole on a good day... lol. That's our Agent Sands! Hope this came through fast enough :)