Author's Note: Enjoy!

Chapter 21:

"NATE!" Eliot and Hardison hollered simultaneously. They couldn't believe what depths of evil Marat would sink to.

"That's it. You are dead." Eliot threatened. Hardison looked over at him, finally ready to kick some ass.

Both glanced over at one another, and then moved forward.

The bartender pushed the butt of the rifle deeper into Hardison's chest. Hardison quickly grabbed the rifle with both hands and yanked it out of the barman's grasp. The man jumped in surprise. Without warning Hardison swung the hilt end of the gun across the bartenders face. The bartender quickly lost balance and fell to the ground.

Hardison wanted to leap into the water after Nate but was being overwhelmed by thugs. Moreover, once he jumped in, how was he going to crack the code and get the safe open?

Within seconds there was a commotion as a golden bullet raced through the crowd. Everyone stopped in surprise. There, beyond anybody's comprehension was Parker, weaving in and out of thugs all the way to the water's edge. Without hesitation she dove into the murky water after Nate.

"How-?" Hardison was dumbfounded but he didn't have a chance to question it. The bartender was already getting back up. With a renewed sense hope and determination Hardison prepared his 'nutty boxer' stance ready to beat the crap out of this guy. He threw the gun towards the water as the bartender came after him. Hardison ducked as the bartender sent a fist his way. Hardison quickly spun around trying to make his way behind the bartender. He twisted about half way around as the bartender lunged at him tackling them both to the ground. They rolled around, both avoiding each other's knees and elbows.

Meanwhile, Eliot was flabbergasted. Had he really just seen Parker appear or was it his imagination finally driving him mad? Everyone else watched as she darted like a cat through the crowd and it gave him a newfound sense of strength.

While Hardison was fumbling around with the bartender, Eliot had the responsibility of defeating 11 men. Some he recognized from the previous fight.

"Nice nose job." He teased. The man he had first punched out at The Volcano Club was livid and charged at him again. Eliot smiled, moved forward and sent another fist flying at his nose. The impact caused the goon to shriek as blood spluttered from his nose. He fumbled backward toward Victoria who shoved him out of the way and onto the ground nearby whimpering in pain.

The other men after him were more cautious. Two smaller but bulkier men moved forward, one with a chain and the other with fists out. Both on either side lunged at him. He ducked as the first man accidentally wrapped the chain around his partner's neck. Eliot whipped around jabbing his elbow in the first chain-holding man's neck teetering him off balance. He then grabbed a hold of the chain, whipping the second man who was momentarily trapped, into the air, flying and then finally landing with a thump near the quarreling Hardison and barman. A new taller and lankier man came forward, and Eliot whipped the chain around the lanky thugs wrists, pulled him forward and then slammed his left foot into the lanky man's kneecap. The crack of breaking bone and bloodcurdling cry was heard by everyone.

"Four down." Eliot taunted. "Bring it on."

The remaining seven looked at one another and without speaking moved in. Eliot bent his knees slightly, preparing himself for what was to come.

The first few jumped in trying to kick his knees out. He laughed at the fact that they were already copying his moves. With their legs up, he quickly took his leg and scooped it under theirs flipping them to the ground as he spun to face the other side. They sent in punches that Eliot easily deflected. Without warning a man from behind grabbed him by the neck holding it tight. Eliot quickly took hold of him then kicked himself up against the man in front, breaking his nose, while flipping over the goon that had him from behind. He landed behind the goon that had his neck and proceeded to shove his head forward into goon number nine.

The flurry of fighting made Marat more and more nervous. No one had ever tested his power like this before. Of the four troublemakers, Nate had been the most difficult; constantly weaseling his way into the minds of his men since he'd been kidnapped, bringing a sense of fear to his organization.

Parker felt her adrenaline pumping again that day. She was sore, but sprinted from the entrance towards the dock. She watched as they shut the safe door and shoved it into the water. Parker's eyes went wide and she sprinted even faster, weaving through thugs not giving them a chance to react.

She had just enough time to glance at Eliot and Hardison. She warmed inwardly at the looks on their faces.

Without another beat she dove into the water. The green gray harbor was bitter cold as she swam deeper and deeper. She couldn't see but a few inches in front of her face but moved her arms around attempting to feel for the safe. She had learned many years ago how to hold her breath for a long time, but wasn't sure if that time would be enough to find the safe, figure out the combination and get Nate out before her air expired and the oxygen in the safe was used up.

Deeper and deeper she went. Ears beginning to pop when her hand landed on something metal. She felt herself reach the bottom of the harbor and felt for the dial. Her lungs were burning and she was beginning to lose focus.

She had to pull her face right up to the dial to see the numbers. She ignored the slimy fish that slicked their way by her sliding against her leg. Everything had to disappear as she concentrated.

She took a moment and thought to herself as she came up with the dial code, and it didn't take long before she started spinning numbers.

Spots were starting to appear in front of her. She knew she didn't have much time left. The burn in her lungs was like fire and her eyes hurt from being open in such dank and dingy waters. Stay focused. She said to herself. Stay awake. As she turned the last number she felt a click with her hand and new that it was unlocked.

Her heart gave an excited thump but her vision began to blur. She reached for the handle and pulled as hard as she could. It wouldn't budge. She tried again, getting weaker by the second. Nothing. The force that water pulled on the door was magnificent.

With one final heave, all the energy she had left in her put into this one moment she pulled as hard as she could. The spots were bigger than ever and everything was darkening. A few bubbles flew to the surface as she grunted underwater. Then she felt it, like a mother pulling a car off her child, the safe door began to pull open.

Then her body gave out and everything went black.