Title: Hatred is the Strongest Poison
Chapter 14 – Waiting to Exhale
It didn't take Spike's brain long to register that something was going very wrong with his demented captor's plan when he hears anxious footsteps rushing back to him and the side of the van roughly yanked open. Spike blinks away some dust particles but feels his agitation immediately skyrocket when his captor starts to hiss down at him in an angry tone.
'Ha!' Dylan's charred face appears before Monty's narrowed gaze. 'Told you…Team One is here and you're as good as dead.'
"Shut up!" Monty's fist slams into the side of the van, forcing Spike's bound frame to twitch with fear. "I will win…I will kill Greg and that'll be it."
What! Spike's eyes fly open as he twists his head and looks up at Monty in shock.
"What you thought I was just here for a picnic!" Monty shouts as his fingers reach between Spike's rough cheek and the gag and yank his head upward. "Remember… you will do as I say or I will kill you…slowly and very painfully! Always remember that...unless I say the word you'll never be free!"
Spike watches as Monty once again pulls out the wretched object and tries to close his eyes.
"Look at it!" Monty hisses as his fingers wrap around Spike's neck, carefully squeezing off the air until Spike has no choice to but to open his eyes, his brain instantly digesting the fateful command.
His mind quickly delves into a deep murky pool of despair as his captor starts to release him from his bonds, allowing his chaffed wrists to merely lay at his side as Monty cuts the ropes around his ankles and then tugs at the gag but doesn't pull it out. "Come on Spike…time for your big moment."
NO! DON'T DO THIS! Part of Spike's mind yells as his body automatically gets out of the van and stands beside his captor, waiting for further instructions. The other part of his mind, merely accepts the order, his fingers wrapping around the cold steel barrel of the gun before his legs numbly start to follow his captor into the large warehouse where fate was waiting to throw him a curveball.
As he takes each tormented step, Spike's mind is waging a fierce inner struggle for his very soul. Don't listen! You have to follow orders! He'll only kill you after! He'll reward you with freedom! Some truth, some lines…all forcing his blood pressure to tease critical levels.
He hears faint voices in the distance and feels part of his body actually react with inner elation; but the other part remains cold and determined – he has to follow orders or else!
"You will kill Greg parker," was the constant message that Monty's evil lips were feeding Spike's muddled brain with each step they were taking, his own fingers tickling the handle of his own hidden weapon just in case Spike's mind actually failed to heed his fateful command.
"Wait here," Monty whispers as they hear two voices in the distance.
I know those voices, the non-complacent part of Spike's brain tries to make known. Sam…it's Sam! I hear Sam…SAM HELP ME! Sadly no sound is heard as Monty had kept the tight gag in place until the right moment. Greg…boss I hear you…HELP ME!
"Just about time Spike," Monty snickers as he finally tugs the gag free, Greg's voice getting closer. And then finally…the Team One supervisor rounds the corner and three worlds finally collide into one fateful showdown.
"Hello Greg," Monty greets, relishing in the outright shock and confusion in the warm brown eyes before him; the eyes that belong to a man he used to call friend and mentor. "Surprise."
"Monty…" Greg stammers in obvious confusion as he locks eyes with Spike.
Boss help me! Please help me! Spike's mind calls, his lips uttering no sound, his brain still following the wretched command perfectly.
"What have you done to him?"
"To Spike? Oh nothing you didn't force me to do to him."
"Spike you don't have to do this…just walk to me," Greg tries to stall, hoping that Sam would be finished and come find him and stop this tormented madness.
"Spike listens only to me now Greg," Monty smirks.
NO boss! Help me! Part of Spike's brain shouts in silent misery. We have to obey Monty, the other half falsely reasons.
"Spike I know you can hear me...just walk to..."
"Don't waste your breath Greg. Oh by the way, ten years…happy anniversary," Monty states slowly. "I waited a long…a very long time for today."
"I saw you die."
"You saw what I wanted you to see."
"Monty this isn't possible…I saw you…I watched you die."
"You saw someone die, but it wasn't me. But today it's my turn to watch you die," Monty smiles evilly. However, his ears pick up anxious voices in the distance and he curses the fact that the strained reunion would have to now be rushed. "Damn it," Monty curses in a half whisper.
"Monty…let's just talk. It's been wow ten years…we have…"
"I'm done talking Greg. Spike now…"
NO DON'T DO THIS! Spike's mind shouts, his heart rate racing, his core on fire and his eyes starting to water all at the same time his arm starts to slowly rise with the gun fixed firmly in his fingers. He tries to shake his head but a few more hissed words into his ear from his captor, make his resistance utterly futile.
Greg watches Spike's movements and knows that he's under some kind of trance; mind manipulation. He watches his warm brown eyes well with tears and a single tear about to escape and slide down his cheek.
"Spike do it now!" Monty hisses just as Sam rounds the corner.
"Sam!" Greg shouts.
"You will pay for this!" Monty growls as his fingers wrap around Spike's and ease back on the trigger.
NO! Spike's mind shouts as he watches the bullet leave the chamber. Boss…Greg…oh god I'm sorry…no I can't… Spike's mind races as he feels his own fingers forced to pull back and then watches as his friend and mentor's face exhibits a painful expression as the bullet enters his flesh.
Monty's bullet leaves the chamber the same time as Sam's; embedding itself into the soft folds of Greg's shoulder, his body moving just in time. Sam's bullet couldn't be a kill shot as he had both Greg and Spike in the way and harming them further wasn't an option; but he had to slow him down no matter what. The bullet enters Monty's left thigh, forcing his hold on Spike to break immediately.
Knowing that taking Spike would only slow him down, he pushes the no longer useful bomb technician toward Greg and takes off in a sprint toward the van, his hand clutching the gaping wound.
"Boss!"
"Sam…help Spike!" Greg directs just as Ed, Raf and Jules all round the corner and race toward their fallen team members.
"Greg wait!" Ed shouts as he watches Greg break forth from the group and race after Monty; Jules and Raf at Spike's side, sheltering their friend calling for backup as Sam races after Ed and Greg. "Sam with me!"
"Raf help me with him," Jules states in a panic.
"Monty!" Greg shouts as he pushes past the pain, watching as Monty gets into his waiting van and then takes off down the block.
"Greg!" Ed shouts once more as he and Sam watch Greg head for the closest SRU SUV and race after Monty. "Damn it!" Ed curses as he and Sam sprint toward the other, Sam getting behind the wheel, Ed in the passenger seat calling for backup as they race after Greg and Monty.
"What the hell's going on Ed?"
"Monty Glennon gave Spike the order to kill Greg," Ed huffs as he tries to call Greg once more but gets nothing in return. "We have to stop them both before Monty can finish the job for him. This can only end one way," Ed utters fatefully.
XXXXXXXX
"Spike…can you hear me?" Jules asks in concern as she looks up at Raf. "Where's the medic."
"They're coming…he looks like he's in a trance or something."
"Did you see anything?"
"No same as you," Raf answers in truth as he kneels down by Spike's side. "Hey buddy you're safe okay."
Help me…free me from this hell! Spike's mind shouts in misery.
"What…Jules what did this guy do to him?"
"Mind manipulation. Its like he's been hypnotized. We need a word…something that will break him from this," Jules states as two uniformed RCMP officers head toward them; the back up that Sam had called for had just arrived. "Go back downstairs and see if you can find it…this guy would have kept something…Raf you have to…we need that word to bring Spike from this trance."
"Did you see downstairs? That was one messed up dude, what the hell do I even look for?"
"It'll be obscure. There will be one word to put him into this trance and one to bring him out."
"Got it," Raf's fingers give Spike a gentle squeeze as he leaves Jules side and then hurries back downstairs, taking another officer with him.
Raf it's whiskey…that's the word…I know the word. Spike's mind calls out again, his lips listening to his brain not to utter the command or he would suffer.
"Spike, if you can hear me, it's gonna be okay," Jules looks down at Spike still held in her arms, her fingers brushing his stubble clad cheek, and her eyes trying to keep the tears at bay so she can remain strong for her friend. "You need a shave," she lightly teases. "The girls like you better without a beard."
Jules it's whiskey…please I know the word…Spike's mind offers, his lips however unable to utter them as his brain was also told that as soon as he said the word himself, he'd be severely punished and so in his trance-like state he believed it.
"Can you say something Spike? Talk to me?"
I can't…Jules help me! Spike's mind pleads as his eyes water further.
"No…okay Spike you are going to be fine. I know you are under some kind of trance but you will get through this okay? You are safe now…he'll never hurt you again."
Help Greg…please Jules…I…I shot the boss, Spike's mind laments as he looks away.
"Spike stay with me," Jules begs softly, pulling his warm brown eyes back to her worried ones. "Whatever lies you are hearing inside are just that – lies. The boss, Ed and Sam all went after Monty, you know they'll take him…you are safe now Spike. Greg is fine. Please you have to just stay with me," she utters as she looks up and then talks to Raf. "Raf, anything?"
"It could be anything down here. I found a few small keys of various sizes and shapes in various places around Spike's room. You might try that."
"Okay," Jules huffs as she looks down at Spike. "Key," she whispers, holding her breath for the appropriate response. But when the glaze still remains over her friends eyes she knows it didn't work. "Keep looking – but hurry."
XXXXXXXX
"You'll never win…NEVER!" Monty shouts as he heads deeper into the industrial part of the waterfront, Greg and Ed's SUV's both in hot pursuit with their lights and sirens blaring.
'Ha! Can I say I told you so now?' Dylan's face laughs.
"Shut the hell up!" Monty screams as his bloody hand leaves his thigh momentarily to hit the window, leaving an angry smear of his own blood on the murky window. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" He growls as he sharply swerves to the left and heads toward a virtual dead end street.
Greg's mind replays over and over the images from ten years ago when he watched Monty Glennon burn to death before his eyes and the scene he had just witnessed a few moments earlier. Watching Spike stand before him with the gun and seeing the conflict in his eyes and the lone tear slide down his cheek told him that he was forced to act on whatever Monty told him to do; he couldn't fault Spike for pulling the trigger. In essence it wasn't even Spike, Spike had hesitated and that told him that Monty hadn't totally won, that his beloved Spike was still in there…trapped in his mind. But he was with Jules and Raf and was safe, he knows they'd never let harm come to him.
Greg's eyes glance back to see Ed and Sam following but still doesn't turn on his radio; knowing that he'd only get a muchly needed lecture from his team leader about being shot and still pursuing the man that was armed and wanting his life.
"Sorry Eddie," Greg whispers as he sharply swerves to follow Monty down the dead end street. His phone finally connects with the man he had wanted to call earlier. "Dale?"
"Greg? Wow long time no hear," the voice of coroner Dale Stetson is heard. "What's going on?"
"Dale I need you to pull the file on Monty Glennon."
"Monty…that's going back a ways. Why what's up?"
"I need to know what was tested for DNA?"
"Greg you were there, you witnessed the autopsy," Dale's voice sighs as Greg hears some shuffling in the background. "Okay found it here…right this was the guy that set himself on fire before you. Greg he came in here a charred corpse. We were lucky we had those few remaining dental samples, there was nothing else to test."
"Monty Glennon is alive. I think that was his brother."
"His brother is dead…"
"That was his older brother. I think Monty had a twin and I need you to find him for me."
"If that was his twin then he'd be…"
"Dead I know. But I need proof of his existence Dale before that. Just find it for me."
"I'm not a detective…"
"Anymore. I know you worked missing children's cases for years and have access to their database. Dale I need this."
"Monty Glennon alive? Greg are you sure?"
"I have a bullet to prove it," Greg replies firmly. "Just get me that proof."
"I'll see what I can do. Call you back."
Greg watches Monty's van duck into a darkened garage and then hears the breaks coming to a screeching halt as he applies the gas to get there before Monty can get away from them. But just as soon as Greg's SUV enters the garage, the door starts to close, locking Eddie and Sam outside.
"Damn it!" Ed curses as Sam brings their SUV to a screeching halt just as the large door closes, sealing Monty and Greg inside. "We gotta find another way in," Ed directs as he looks at Sam. "And Sam…no hesitation, you see a shot you take it."
"Copy that," Sam nods before he and Ed quickly depart, racing to find another way in before Monty Glennon can have the last laugh.
XXXXXXXX
Jules watches as a team of medics rush toward Spike who quickly starts to thrash in her grasp. "Spike, it's okay, these men are going to take you to the hospital and I'll be with you every step of the way okay? You're safe now."
Whiskey…the word is whiskey…please Jules...help me, his mind begs as his eyes water further.
"You're gonna be just fine," Jules tries to assure him as her fingers rest on his slightly quivering cheek. "Just let them take you to the hospital, you'll be safe there okay?"
Spike's mind allows his body to listen to Jules comforting words for a time until the two medics try to strap him down for transport; then he starts to rebel, nearly falling back to the hard ground.
"Stop for a moment," Jules instructs as both medics pull back and allow the two straps to fall back to the ground. "He can't be restrained, he's been through a lot."
"I understand," the first medic talks to Jules. "But it's for his own good for transporting him. If he falls off then he'll hurt himself further and he already looks in rough shape."
"Please…he'll cooperate, just don't strap him down," Jules pleads as she looks down at Spike who looks back up with an uncertain stare. "Spike they won't hurt you, I promise okay…just…if you can hear my voice I need you to lie on the stretcher and not move."
Not wanting to fight the onset of heavy fatigue, Spike's body merely slumps back down onto the stretcher, allowing the two medics to cover his shivering frame with a blanket and then start to wheel him out toward the waiting ambulance.
"Raf, we're leaving now. How's it coming?"
"Finding King Tut's tomb woulda been easier than this," he sighs heavily. "I'll meet you there…so far nothing obvious that I can see or that's on the computer. I'll bring it with me but um…well what happens if we can't find the safe word?"
"That's not an option."
"Right. I'll keep you posted."
XXXXXXXX
"Monty!" Greg's voice shouts as he squints into the darkness ahead, carefully making his way through the garage and then hearing the footsteps starting to echo as Monty enters the larger open structure.
"You ruined it Greg!" Monty shouts back, biting back a strained gasp as his fingers try to apply more pressure to his bloody leg. He had made a crude tourniquet in the darkness but knows that if he's not treated soon, he'll be knocking on death's door, where his two brothers were already waiting for him.
"Stop running and lets talk about this!"
*bang*
"Sam!" Ed's anxious voice is heard over the head set.
"I'm on the north side, nothing here. You?"
"Heading for the south west corner…I think I see something."
"On my way."
"You missed," Greg retorts as he pokes his head out from his hiding spot, watching Monty's frame darting in between the shadows a few meters a head.
"I won't…next time. How's Spike?" Monty snickers.
"He's fine and you know that. But let's talk about you…Monty why did you do all this? Why didn't you let me help you?"
"That's all you ever want to do is help!" Monty shouts back as he stops running and rests his weary frame against a dingy wall, his heart racing and his body wanting to shut down.
"That's why I joined the SRU Monty, because I want to help."
"You could never help me."
"I can try," Greg answers with a small wince, his right hand clutching his throbbing left shoulder, applying some pressure in hopes of getting the blood to stop oozing out. "All I wanted to do was to help you Monty. Come out and lets talk."
"Fine…you want that…come and get me!" Monty shouts as he steps out from his hiding spot and waits for Greg to appear; his gun cocked and ready.
Greg puts his gun away and then steps out to face Monty with his hands up a show of good faith; knowing that even if he is to take a chance with his life, of which he'll hear about it from Ed later, he knows that Ed and Sam are the best at what they do for a reason, Monty Glennon wouldn't be walking out alive today. It really is over. But how and when…? That was still to be decided.
"Ten years…Monty ten years…why didn't you seek me out sooner?"
"You wanted to die sooner?" Monty mocks.
"No to talk."
"Talk! Fine...at first I wanted to…but I couldn't," Monty shakes his head angrily. "Why would you care anyways?"
"Monty I tried to help you. I wanted to," Greg answers in truth. "Why don't you just put down the gun and we'll talk…it's just you and me," Greg states, his head set now active so that both Ed and Sam could hear what was going on.
"Okay Sam…we gotta move fast but quietly," Ed directs as they both work to get a small outer door open so they could get into position inside.
"Monty…"
"NO Greg!" Monty shouts as he raises the gun and Greg stops walking. "Don't you see…it's over and I don't care anymore!"
"It's not over," Greg shakes his head. "Just tell me what you want."
"I want you…to die," Monty hisses. "TO DIE!"
"Ed…" Sam's urgent voice is heard.
"Okay…Sam…go now…when you are in move to the right."
"Monty tell me…who did I watch die?"
"Did you like the show?" Monty snickers.
"No," Greg answers in truth. "I thought I was watching a friend die."
"I wasn't a friend! STOP LYING!" Monty shouts, his loud voice actually helping to muffle the already quiet footsteps of the hidden snipers.
"Boss if you can hear me, we're in position. If I see a threat, I'm taking the shot," Ed tells Greg.
"Okay just stop waving the gun and lets try to figure this out."
"See that's always been your problem Greg, there…is no…problem!"
"Ten years Monty. Every year for ten years…today, I was forced to think back to what happened. I watched you…Monty it was a horrible sight and I have regretted how that day went down every day for ten years."
"Are you sober now Greg?"
"Every day Monty I thought about that day," Greg sticks to his train of thought. "I kept asking myself how I could have helped you more."
"I didn't want help."
"But you needed it, just like you need it now," Greg tries to reason, watching Monty's jaw flex and his eyes narrow. "I know your leg is bleeding badly. Why not drop the gun and we'll get you some help and then just talk – just the two of us okay?"
"Never! I waited for ten years for this..."
"You waited," Greg tries to reason. "See that's the key here Monty. You waited ten years...I know what that can mean...a new change, a fresh star..."
"No!" Monty cuts off Greg with a hissing tone. "I only want this! I tried...I tried to make a new start. Changed my name...got a disguise and still...NOTHING!"
"Let me help you, please," Greg begs. "Lower the gun and lets get your leg looked at. Let's make a new start. Spike is alive so you'll..."
"But you won't be! Neither of us is walking out of here alive today Greg. I shoot you and as soon as I walk out that locked door," Monty motions behind him with his head, "your team shoots me," he concludes, not knowing that he was already lined up in the scope of two trained snipers who would never let that plan come to fruition. "You can't talk me down or your way out! That's what you're trying to do right? Stall for your supermen to come and take me out? Talk me down and walk away the hero while I am sent to a dark hole!"
"That won't happen Monty. I can get you help. Please...please put the gun down."
"Or what? I'll die? Well you will first so why should I listen?"
"Why do you want me dead so badly Monty? Can you at least tell me that?
"You ruined my life!"
"How? I tried to help you…Monty I only wanted to help," Greg pleads. "I wanted to help then and I want to help now."
"You never…"
"I'm sorry if you thought I was turning my back on you back then. I was in a tough place myself. Yes I was being selfish at the time but I couldn't see that. But I can see that now. I'm sorry. But I'm here now and I want to help."
"Why?"
"Because you need it."
"Really," Monty utters with a defeated sigh, the tone in his voice forcing Ed's senses to go into overdrive. The end was nearing.
"Yes. I needed help back then and you need help now. I couldn't offer it then but I can now. Please let me help you. I can help you."
"Huh. You know...after all this time you're still the same Greg."
"Monty..."
"That's um...that's funny," Monty frowns as the gun in his hand starts to slightly shake and Ed's finger readies the trigger. "You know that's real funny coming from you Greg."
"What's that?" Greg inquires.
"Wanting to help me...you thinking you can help me."
"I want to try."
"Right...well um...what's the one thing they never teach you AT THE SRU?" Monty asks as he slowly starts to move toward Greg with his gun raised; his voice starting off slowly and then ending with an angry crescendo.
"Ed…he moved...I have no solution," Sam whispers in haste.
"Sam, I got him."
Ed hears the desperation in Greg's voice and frowns, knowing that his boss and friend is desperate to have this end with a peaceful outcome and Monty getting the medical and professional help that he needs. However, he hears the anger and despair in Monty's voice and knows that Greg's plan is moot. Monty Glennon has no intention of letting either himself or Greg Parker walk out of this building alive.
Ed's next decision wasn't a hard one to make – it was the only one.
"What's that?" Greg asks anxiously.
"There are some of us who…just DON'T WANT to be HELPED!" Monty shouts as he raises his gun and prepares to fire.
But before Monty can pull back on the trigger, Ed's finger pulls back first, delivering an expert kill shot that hits Monty Glennon right between the eyes, sending him hurling backward to the cold ground, his miserable life finally coming to an much needed end.
Greg remains fixed in place a few seconds before he slowly walks up to Monty and kneels down at his side, his head shaking as he knows it was a futile effort on Monty's part to even call this showdown.
"They do teach us that Monty, but there are some of us who just don't want to believe it. I'm sorry," Greg whispers as his fingers reach out and gently pull Monty's eyes to a closed position, Ed and Sam walking up behind him out of the shadows.
A/N: Okay so Spike is safe *phew* but what does he have to face now and how will his first reunion with Greg go? And yes Monty is dead for good *wink* But what happens when his family finds out the truth of where Spike's been? Hope you are all still with me and please do review before you go and thanks so much!