Chp. 13

"What're you gonna to tell them?" Jack asked, looking at Mike as they pulled up to Alexx's house. Without being asked, Ken put the truck in park, got out, and went into the house to let the other two men talk.

Mike shrugged. "Doesn't really matter what I tell them. They'll hate us anyway."

Jack nodded in understanding. "For what's its worth, I'm sorry."

Mike looked at his friend. "Yeah, so am I."

000

Alexx watched the SUV that had just pulled up outside her house, and saw Kenwall Duquesne, jr., step out. She immediately noticed that something was different. He was dressed in combat boots, cargo pants and what looked like a long sleeve shirt under a vest similar to the one Jack had. He also had a shotgun similar to the one Jack used at the hospital slung across his chest.

"Serious hardware." A voice said, and Alexx turned to see Calleigh standing behind her.

"How do you mean?" Alexx asked, worry in her voice.

"Mossberg 590 special purpose 12 guage. One in the pipe, nine in the tube. Double or triple ought buckshot. Or slugs, depending on the occasion."

Alexx shook her head as Jack and Miguel got out of the truck. "Whoever did this…" she said, and her voice trailed off.

"What?" Calleigh asked, looking at her friend with concern.

"Whoever did this…" Alexx said again. "Their not going to bring him in. Their going to kill him."

Calleigh stiffened. She didn't want to agree with her friend, because that would mean admitting to herself that her brother was a killer. Yes, Kenny had served his country honorably, but still...

Alexx nodded as Jack walked up. He had a pretty good idea what the two women had been discussing. "Ladies." He said.

Both nodded. "Serious hardware." Calleigh said again, noting the M-4 rifle slung across Jack's chest.

"Serious bad guy."

"Is that really necessary?" Alexx asked, referring to the gun.

"Very necessary. Can you be ready to go in two hours, all of you?" Jack asked, looking at both of them.

"Is that necessary? I thought this guy was only Sam." Calleigh said, worry in her voice.

"He is. But he's well connected. And you know him." Kenny said, looking at his sister. He'd decided to give Jack some back up.

"From a case?"

"Yes. Does the name Clavo Cruz mean anything to you?" Jack asked.

Jack watched as the ballistics expert paled. "He killed a girl last year, ran her over with his car, got off because he had diplomatic immunity." Calleigh summarized.

"That's why you're all under protective custody." Jack said.

000

Mike pulled up outside his parent's home and saw Eric and Calleigh were already there. Natalia was meeting them at the airfield. He'd told her about the necessity of them being under police protection, and about his father's business. That was one of the reasons she wasn't with him now. She'd offered to come with him for moral support, but he told her this was something he needed to do on his own. Natalia had been reluctant to let the man she loved go on his own. Mike knew what she was worried about, but he told her he could handle Eric. He sat on his motorcycle and collected his thoughts as the engine cooled. But he also readied himself for a fight, incase Eric attacked him. He checked something that he'd brought with him, in back of his waistband, and got off the bike. Taking long strides, he quickly made his way to the front door and knocked, incase Gabriella was asleep. Waking his niece wouldn't help his case any. The door opened, and Mike was relieved to see his father standing there. The man would be his only ally for the next couple of hours. But Pavel Delko was a formidable foe. Even at sixty-two, he was 6'6" tall and weighed 300lbs., of solid muscle. But more important, he knew how to fight.

"Miguel, please come in." he said, stepping aside.

Mike the man was announcing his arrival for everyone else's benefit, and Mike readied himself. "Thanks, dad."

As Pavel closed the door, Mike saw a flash of movement and drew the weapon he'd carried behind his back. In addition to his Glock 22 .40, he carried tranquilizer pistol. At just over 13½ inches long, it was a long draw, but Mike had practiced this move many times. He drew the weapon and fired. Eric felt look he'd been punched in the chest, which he had, and he staggered, leaning against the wall. Calleigh and Clorinda started to say something, when Mike drew his Glock and shook his head. Then he turned to Eric, who Pavel had helped lay on the floor. He was just starting to pass out. "This could've been avoided if you'd been willing to listen to reason." Then he stood and made his way into the kitchen where his mother and sister-in-law were sitting. Clorinda was the first to speak. "Is he dead, Miguel?"

Mike scoffed. "Of course not, Ma! Jeez! It's just a tranquilizer gun." Mike said, re-holstering his Glock.

Calleigh glared at him. "Was that really necessary?"

Mike shrugged. "It was that, or wipe the floor with your husband. Which would you prefer?" Mike asked, then he turned to his father. Based on Eric's reaction, Mike guessed the rest of the family had been told of Pavel's secret life, but he had to be sure. "Did you tell."

"Da." Pavel said, and sat down next to his middle child.

"So…I know this is a lot to ask, and you probably hate me right but please…please believe that, Jack, Kenny, myself have your, the team's, Alexx's, Sam's, Bella's, Madison's, and Meagan's safety paramount in our minds. We'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. And find this cabron, understand…" He stopped. Eric and Calleigh were cops, but he was a warrior, a fighter. For them, there were laws and rules, but for him the only rule had been complete your mission and don't get dead.

Mike looked at his sister-in-law, and waited. Finally, after a longtime she looked him in eye and said one word. "Entiendo."

He looked at his mother and, while she looked like she wanted to come across the table and strangle him, she answered likewise. "I'll wait in the car." Mike said, and the two women left to get their things. Pavel went with them. Eric was just starting to come around, and Mike quickly slapped a set of handcuffs on him. Then he pulled smelling salts from his jeans pocket and held them under Eric's nose. Mike felt bad when his brother came out of the stupor and wretched backward violently, banging his head on the wall.

When Eric had his wits about him, Mike knelt in front of him and said. "Le necesito, Hermano."

Eric considered what his brother was saying for a longtime before answering. And it was bigger than that. His boss, and friend, needed him as well. "I understand."

Mike nodded and took the handcuffs off. Without warning, Eric delivered a vicious right hook to the sides of his brother's head. The blow caught Mike on the side of the jaw, and he fell backward. Eric stood. "But you should have told me."

Translations:

Russian – Da = Yes

Spanish – Entiendo; le necesito, Hermano = I understand; I need you, brother

A/N: See, Jack's not the only one who can get violent! I'm planning to go back and ad translations for previous chapters. Thanks for reading!