A/N: sorry for the slight delay in up-dates but once again RL got in the way. I'm just about finished this particular segment and then I'm on to a few others I've yet to complete.

Chapter 14

At the appointed time Savannah got into the cab and was carefully handed the loaded travel bag. Brass, a cap on his head to minimize his appearance, drove.

"You gonna be okay?" he asked, watching her closely as she took out the Walther PPK, checked the clip, and set the switch before tucking it back behind her back. "Just say the word and we can do this without you. It's that easy."

She chuckled ruefully.

"Something funny?"

"Just remembering something."

"Oh?"

"One week I was having a particularly tough time dealing with things. My emotions were all over the place, my thoughts were all over the place, I just, I was having trouble dealing with life at that point and I remember commenting to Dad that I thought things were supposed to get easier."

"What did your dad do?" Brass asked.

"Gave me a subtle reminder; I came home one day and found this Precious Moments figurine on my dresser. It was a little girl holding a letter from the Father and the letter said, 'Dear Child: I never said it would be easy. I said it would be worth it. Heavenly Father.' He didn't say, I didn't ask, but after that, whenever things got tough I would find myself looking at that figurine and reminding myself that it's not about things being easy, it's about things being worth it."

"That's worth remembering," Brass said, nodding.

"And right now, the only way I'm going to be able to get Dad back is to face down Andrew. Yeah, we could do this the easy way and let SWAT have their fun but you and I both know the risks are that much more higher because we don't know what Andrew has with him," Savannah said. "And if I face down Andrew now, it's over for good because I'll have turned the light on the monster."

Brass nodded in understanding. He pulled up to the warehouse and spoke into the radio that connected them to the waiting team. "Place looks dark but there's a light inside the building. One truck parked outside, no sign of the suspect or Caine. Savannah's going in." She mimed handing him some cash, which he 'accepted' and she got out, just as she heard the radio squawk, "10-4, teams are in position and ready to go."

She took a deep breath even as she felt her heart start pounding. Out of habit, she looked up at the night sky, searching for the moon. There it was, bright and full, and she smiled. Then a star caught her attention; it seemed to be shining brighter than the rest of the stars in the sky and she couldn't help but wonder if it was her mother, watching.

I'll be okay, Momma, I promise, but if Father has a bit of extra strength, I sure could use it right about now, she thought.

As if from nowhere, a gentle breeze picked up, and for a moment, just a moment, she could have sworn someone lightly touched the side of her face in reassurance. She smiled and started walking towards the open door of the warehouse.

The warehouse was dark, save a single, brightly-lit camp lantern on a cheap card table. There were a couple of large, empty crates off to one side and she made note of their position in case she had to duck for cover.

Andrew emerged from the shadows, cradling a sawed-off shot-gun and wearing a smirk on his face. He eyed her appreciatively.

"Good girl," he said.

She stared at him, old memories rushing to the surface. The yelling, the insults, the hits... it all came back, and as they came back so did a cold rage. In that moment she understood; Andrew didn't scare her any more. He was just another bully who thought he was king of the hill and ruled his 'kingdom' with fear and pain rather than love and kindness. He didn't know what real love was; people like him never did and when they were shown it, they considered it weak. Horatio didn't and he had taught her that through the simple act of caring without demanding, other than asking that she give her best. He had shown her friendship and support and she, in her turn, had grown stronger and better than she ever was before.

No, Andrew didn't scare her any more. He just made her mad and that rage gave her more strength than she could have ever hoped for.

"Where's my dad?" she demanded. "You promised me that if I came you would let him go."

"I'm over here, Savannah," came Horatio's tired voice. Partially hidden by the shadows was Horatio Caine, arms around a support post and hands held in place by handcuffs. He looked tired and sported a nasty-looking bruise on one side of his face.

"What did you do to him, you bastard?" Savannah snarled.

"Watch the lip, bitch," Andrew shot back, before throwing something at her which she caught before it hit her face; cuff keys.

"Cut him loose and get him out of here. Then get your ass to the truck," Andrew snapped. "Our flight leaves in fifteen."

She did as she was told, going over to Horatio.

"You shouldn't have come," Horatio whispered once she was close enough.

"You're my dad. Besides, who says I came alone?"

"Plan?"

"There's a six-shot gun in the back and a bang in the bag. Once I throw it, we have less than five seconds to hit the ground," she hissed as she worked the cuffs on Horatio's wrists.

"Hope he doesn't use his gun," Horatio said, seeing the white wire in her ear. "Back-up?"

"Listening and waiting. Crates."

He nodded, understanding. She finally got the cuffs undone and he pretended to stagger, reaching for her. She moved to assist him and his hand found the gun, pulling it out and pulling back the hammer in one smooth move. Even as they dived for the crates, she flung the bag, hard, towards Andrew, catching him off-guard.

"Now!" she yelled, as both she and Horatio covered their ears and screwed their eyes shut. Seconds later, an explosion filled the warehouse and chaos reigned.

In seconds it was all over. Within moments SWAT and LVPD had swarmed the building and Andrew was down on his stomach, hands over his ears and screaming obscenities.

"This is your fault!" Andrew yelled at her. "You should have just done as you were fucking told, you stupid bitch!"

Supporting Horatio, who was glaring at Andrew, Savannah replied coldly, "No, this is your fault, for thinking you could ever hope to control me." And with that, she helped her father out of the building, to where an ambulance was waiting for them.