Chapter 17 – Hidden Strategy

Screaming and yelling as he skimmed through the documents, chucking fits as he tried to look for a specific file. He kept his eyes on Damon and his Hostages every now and then, he was getting so fed up and irritated that he didn't think clearly enough… he wouldn't be here if he hadn't blown the burnt spy to ashes, but the deed was done and he had to deal with it… Damon could see the frustration and wanted to help, but he knew his place was to watch these three. He wanted to at least ask the leader if he needed his help. He took a glance around before keeping his eyes on the kitchen before turning to the leader..

"Darcy… try the kitchen? Might be hidden in there.."

He awaited the shouts but only got a sigh thrown back at him before heading to the kitchen and opening the cupboards, throwing everything and anything out of them to find what he wanted.

Fi's ears snooping as the leaders name was finally revealed, finally… It was about time the moron would let it slip; after all he was an idiot. Fi started to wonder if he even knew what Darcy was even looking for. Her mind wrapped around so many problems… but it never faded from Michael, she wanted to look around to find where he could be, he couldn't be far at all.. He had to be close by.

Michael knew where all of his hidden weapons where, and how to obtain them carefully without alarming anyone. He hadn't really looked at the situation downstairs as of yet. He immediately gathered some weaponry; a pistol and a combat knife. They were the only two things he had up on the second floor at the time; it was either that or nothing. He hid his combat knife in his back buckle of his pants and held his pistol in guard, it was now time to think… regardless of the struggle he was having focusing on everything. His head still spun, striking with pain crawling down his neck and back. His sides feeling numb from the pain, he sometimes stumbled as he lost his balance. He was capable of doing what he needed, but at times he started to doubt himself. The agony he could still feel, he tried to shield it off as much as he could..

Looking at the situation, his eyes narrowed on his mother… he could feel the tickle in his throat, tears where threatening him… He stared at his mother, she was so distraught, Fi and Sam holding her tightly, keeping her close… He kept his emotions at bay, deep inside. He exhaled deeply and tried to think of a way to take the two down without any harm to them. Staying within the shadows, he barely moved. If he did it was extremely quiet and in complete stealth, these two men had absolutely no idea. He kept it silent and let his mind get to work. With all of the injuries he carried, he struggled to form the perfect attack plan, his mind kept circulating how to keep his mother from harm.. He began to think it was best to just turn himself in, surrender. Would it keep them from harm? If it did, he'd do it within a heartbeat. But with these two, anything was possible.. they would certainly use them as leverage, specially his own mother… Michael was lost. He came to wonder, if he did surrender.. Maddie would see them harm him, let alone the appearance of himself already; he looked like death warmed up. Blood stained and dried up. Open wounds, bruises and cuts. He lifted up his black shirt to reveal his severely bruised sides; the large bruises travelled from underneath his arms down to the bottom of his ribs on each side of his body, he was surprised he could still breathe, let alone stand.

Michael stuck his mind on two solutions; Surrender or prepare for war. The thought of placing them all in danger killed him more than any injury he owned. He didn't know exactly what he was going to.. He sat within the shadows and watched for a moment, observing them and seeing just how far they would possibly go if he were to surrender and sacrifice himself…

Darcy came out from the kitchen and rubbed his head with his hands furiously, so frustrated. He growled and spat. His face and neck red from the anger rising. Fed up and wanting to just find out what he needed. He was also angry at himself for having disposed of the spy before getting his needed Intel.

He moved to Sam and stood before him, his eyes focused on Maddie for a moment before looking back at Sam. He sighed deeply and started… the frustration was getting a little too much now, and he was fed up.. he wanted answers, Now.

"Axe, do you know the name of Westen's commanding officer?"

He asked slowly, his eyes fixed on him. Sam was shocked to see all of this suffering was all just for a name, a name he didn't know. Michael never spoke about his past operations and jobs. It was never something he and Michael would sit down and chit-chat about, and it never bothered him… until now. He needed to know of Michael's past.. but he was stranded. He knew the longer he took to give the man his answer, would aggravate him further. He needed to come up with something… Anything.

"All of this just for a name?... you need anger management"

Sam cracked a smile with his little remark, only to receive the end of his gun into his sides.. the force was great, he felt the sudden pressure against his stomach.. a large amount of pain attacked his abdomen. He took it easy and looked back up, a gasp of air before proceeding..

"How am I meant to know?.. Why don't you ask Michael.. Oh wait"

He hesitated before continuing as he didn't want to upset Maddie, but the devil inside won. He had fun playing games with the maniac; he enjoyed pissing the man off. Knowing full well that Michael was in fact alive and in the Loft, waiting for an opportunity to attack… at least that's what he hoped for, knowing Michael as well as he did.. he knew he would pin point the best time and with the deadliest outbreak, they wouldn't know what hit them… he mentally smiled in glee at the thought of Michael's wrath unleashed upon these two, who had haunted their lives ever since it all started.

Michael watched Sam play with the leader; Darcy, observing his reactions and intentions. He too couldn't believe this was all for a name, How desperate where they and why? Why was his Commanding officer of so much importance? He started to wonder what on earth was going on, nothing seemed to have made any sense. Michael watched closely as Damon sat beside Fiona and pulled her away from Maddie, wrapping his right arm around her, pulling her in closely… a smirk crossed his lips. Michael's eyes fixed on his battered mother, her face filled with sorrow. Her face drenched in her own tears, she yearned for her son. Michael didn't know she was in the position thinking he was dead… He began to wonder why she was so distraught.

Michael soon focused on where the two men were positioned, his eyes narrowed on the area. He was soon coming to the idea of him taking them out before anyone could get harmed, but the voice in the back of his head told him to surrender.. He lowered his head for a moment before thinking harder. He'd rather have his mother mentally distraught than having her physically scarred and injured. After all; it was him taking the beating, not her… there was no way he'd let that happen, but he wasn't going to walk out without a backup in store…

Damon sat with his back turned to the second floor, his body pressed against Fiona's, his arms wrapped around her. His eyes watched her with devious thoughts running through his mind. He gave her a kiss on her cheek, softly. Fi just sat there, clenching her fists with rage, there were countless ways she'd be able to get out of this, but she didn't want to risk having Maddie in danger… She was sure Sam was the same as well. They were trapped in loose chains, but their hearts kept them from losing someone dear to them.

Darcy spun around with frustration, rubbing his head again and swearing at the top of his lungs. He began to wonder how he was to going to get the name he needed. Hoe he intended to receive it having destroyed his only source to it. He hated himself deeply after being so silly on the job. He soon started to panic. His mind taking him to the horrible consequences he was to deal with once his client found out he didn't receive his vital information. The man was deadly, and made him cringe of the thoughts. Lost in his world, almost breaking apart.. he stared at Sam and was sure he would know…

Michael wrapped his left arm around Damon's neck, squeezing it tightly. His right arm aimed his pistol at Darcy instantly. The intense look within his eyes, he was certain he'd pull the trigger if the man were to move an inch. His eyes moved to Maddie, who watched in shock… her heart started to beat again, so much relief.. her eyes filled with tears, her son was alive.. He was alive.. She could finally breathe; she let out a soft cry "Michael…" She was soon startled as Darcy whipped out his gun and aimed it at her temple.. She shook in fright…

"Put it down Westen…"

He was astounded, shaken that he was alive, hardly.. But he was alive. A sense of delight struck him but it was mixed with fear.. he knew how good this man was, and he was about to become one of Michael Westen's victims… But he stuck to his intention to slaughter his mother if he were to pull the trigger. Apart of him didn't care for Damon, but another part did. He knew he couldn't handle this alone, and he did in fact need Damon as a backup.. he just never liked admitting it. He liked to believe he could deal with these things himself.

Michael pulled his arm closer towards his body, choking Damon more.. But his firearm was lowering, the moment he watched the gun aim at his mother's temple, his arm felt limp. Almost all of his strength dropped from his right arm… He couldn't risk it..

"His name was Reigheart"

He replied softly, He surrendered. He wasn't going to let them harm anyone anymore; he was done with it all. Too hurt and far too exhausted to have to deal with it all.. He could only hope that this was going to end this reign of chaos… not cause a tempest. He gave the man what he wanted, still holding Damon he turned to Maddie, a soft sore look struck his fierce and aggressive face…

"Are you ok, Ma?"
He asked her with a tender tone in his voice, the sound almost soothed both Maddie and Fi. Sam kept his eyes on Darcy for a moment before Michael collapsed to his knees letting out a cry of agony as he was struck from behind…

"Michael…"

Maddie gasped, it was the only thing she could manage to say as she watched her son fall to his knees in agony, the man standing behind him held a semi-automatic within his grasp, he growled at Darcy for a moment before seeing Damon stumble as he balanced himself, having almost fallen with the impact of Michael's entire body losing its strength and weight with the fall. The man wore a light brown suit and tie, classy shoes and sunglasses. His hair neat and tidy. Taking off his glasses he narrowed his eyes upon Michael before looking straight to Darcy…

"why is he still alive?"

He spat, frustrated as he took a glance at his watch. He stepped over Michael's limp body.. but not without giving him a slight kick as he stepped over. He turned back to Damon and gave him a signal to keep watch of them whilst he took Darcy away for questioning..

"Answer me, Darcy… Why is Westen still alive? Did you not get the information you needed?"

He rest his hands on his waists, waiting for an answer from the man before him. The tone in his voice showed deeply that he was beyond frustrated with how things had turned out. Checking back to his watch every so minutes.. He stared Darcy in the eyes.

"… we thought we had it all… we thought he was in the house when we blew it up… but he wasn't.. Which is good!"

His words slurred, he wasn't sure what he was saying, but he knew it wasn't coming out right at all. He stumbled all of his words, his mind thought too quick for his mouth.

"What do you mean that's good!"

He growled grabbing a hold of Darcy's shirt and pulling him in closely, almost lifting the man up.. Darcy shivered.

"We didn't get all the information we needed…. But-but just before you came in, he gave us the Commanding Officer's name"

His lips quivered, his eyes showed fear. Darcy quickly gave the man the news he needed. Now afraid of his own life once again after Michael held it within his hands. Letting go of Darcy he spun around and started towards Michael.

"What was the name he gave you?"
He asked, never looking back at the startled Darcy, who once looked like Mr. Big shot in this scenario. Not anymore, there was a third man involved.

"Reigheart"

He answered quickly and caught up to the third man and stood beside him. The Third man pulled Michael up, pulling him roughly to his feet, he was balanced against him. The third man shook him for a moment before taking a look over his shoulder to Darcy with a quick smirk..

"Think he's dead?"

The smile dropped, he jumped with the sudden sound of a gunshot being fired. Fi, Maddie and Sam flinched as the abrupt sound echoed so loudly.. They immediately looked to see if Michael was harmed. The third man watched Damon in shock, he started to gag for air as blood slowly escaped his mouth, a bullet was lodge within his temple… his eyes wide open and inert, still grasping for air but he fell to the ground with a large thud, blood started to slowly form a large pool of blood beneath his skull…. Darcy and the third man stared at Damon's lifeless body on the ground near them before turning to Michael who held the weapon in his hand, they both instantly whipped out their own weaponry in defense…

Another shot was fired….