Chapter 29

No one had noticed anyone tailing them on the way from Metro Court to the office, they all arrived in good time. They had gotten Kate out quickly and they believe unnoticed if anyone was still watching the Metro Court they must not have seen her leave. Mac and Dante are the last to arrive. Before finally coming in they had circled the office looked for anyone watching the building and saw no one. After hearing that Kate feels a little happier and she can relax a little more. When they start getting ready she decides it's time to excuse herself. They don't need her in the way and Kate's sure she'll worry more if she knows too much about what they're all doing tonight.

Robert double checks the other entrance it's still locked securely from the inside, the only way anyone can get in is through the main doors and they will be locked again once the teams leave. The officers that are staying with Kate will be able to let them in when they get back. Pierre has been put in the office Sean has been using, the phone and computer have been removed just in case. He has been cooperating with them but they still don't trust him completely. They won't give him a chance to contact any of Faison people, they need these little visits to be a surprise.

Robert and Timmins will the last to leave, giving the other teams time to get out to the Lair. They don't want to give Faison a change to warn anyone out there if he sees Robert coming.

Everyone is geared up, they all have a walkie-talkie, bulletproof vest and at least two guns of their choice. It's time to put this in motion. As they are heading for the door Robert stops Mac and Sean, "Don't be heroes just get this done and bring my team back here," Robert tells them, then they head out the door. He turns to where Anna is waiting, "Go get her Anna and bring her back but make sure you get out of there too." He pulls her close, "Oh, I do love you."

"I love you so much Robert, you come back to me as well," Anna tells him, they kiss then she turns and leaves.

The Lair

The two vans are parked down the road from the driveway, where they will not be seen by anyone coming or going. The two teams move into the trees and are quickly out of sight. The guards should be walking the perimeter soon. That should give the teams enough time to get inside before they return to the main entrance. Pierre had told them that the other door is locked from the inside, there is a large chain holding it closed so it isn't an option for entry. He also told them there are no camera's inside the Lair. Edwards' team will move in first, then Anna with Lee and Ryans will move in a few minutes after and make their way to the basement to get Alex. Mac and Dante are going in with Edwards, Greene, and O'Connor. Anna and Edwards are at the edge of the tree line watching the guards there are only two outside tonight. They wonder why but it works to their advantage, they will have about 15 minutes to get inside before the guards return to the main doors.

When the guards move away from the door, like they did while Ryans and Greene had watched, they turn and head to the right, the opposite direction of where the two teams wait in the treeline. They wait two minutes then Edwards' team make their way to the door, luckily it is not locked and they are inside in a heartbeat. They know if there are only two men outside there should be four men inside. Pierre has told them which rooms are being used by the men here. The team slowly makes their way to the first room they believe the men could be in, but find no one. They continue moving through the main floor looking room by room.

Anna's team waits three minutes before moving in, they will head for the stairs and Alex. They know there are two room in the basement. They will have to enter a smaller room, where there could be guards watching Alex before getting to the room with the cell and Alex. Lee enters the room first, the guard is taken by surprise and by the time he reaches for his gun there are already three guns pointed at him. The guard just puts his hands up, he knows they have the drop him. He is handcuffed and gagged then tied to a chair in the corner away from anything else in the room. They checked his pockets and find the keys for the cell. "That's one, I hope the others are having some luck finding the other guards," Lee says.

Again Lee enters the room first, covered by Anna and Ryans. Alex screams when she sees him with his gun drawn, but stops as soon as Anna enter the room. "Anna! Is it really you, Anna?"

"Yes Alex, I'm here,"

"I knew you would come for me."

Anna rushes to the door and unlocks it, the sisters hug as soon a the door is opened. Anna grabs her walkie-talkie, "Donely, come in Donely. We have Alex and we have one guard restrained, over"

"Copy that, stay put Devane, waiting for reports from E team, over," comes the response for Sean.

"Edwards here, we've covered the main floor, we've seen no one so far, over."

This worries both Anna and Sean where are the rest of the guards? There were only two outside, Lee said there should have been three. Where are they, it was a little to easy to get in here? Why hasn't the other team found any of them either?

"Donely wants us to stay down here, but let's move into the other room. We don't want anyone coming and untying our friend out there now do we?" Anna says and leads Alex from the room. The guard is right where they had left him. Now they wait for the word to move out, they will go out the back, the other team should have already cut the chain and they should get out without being seen.

"The main floor is clear, the chain has been removed, over," Edwards says over the walkie-talkie.

"Devane move out, over," Sean orders.

"Copy that, over and out." Anna looks at the team, "You heard him lets get out of here." They make their way up the stairs and through the hall, they move quietly but quickly. While they move they see no one and are out the door and across the yard in a matter of minutes. Anna opens the door and Sean greets them with a big smile.

"Hello lovely ladies, nice to see you again Alex," Sean says.

"Nice to see you, Sean. I wish it was under different circumstances," says Alex.

"A n' A are out and in the clear, over," Sean says into the walkie-talkie.

"Copy that," Edwards replies.

A few minutes pass and they wait for word from the other team. Suddenly they hear gunfire, Sean and Anna exchange looks "Get in the other van, I want all of you out of her now," Sean orders.

They don't argue, they're here to get Alex to safety. They can't chance sending anyone else back in either, they have to stick to the plan, Mac will call for back up now that shots have been fired. "Come on Alex time to get you out of here," Anna says and they leave.

Loki's Wake

Fisher had been watching the yacht all day, Faison has not left but Fisher hasn't seen him either. When Robert and Timmins join him, he tells them there are only two crew members on board. It shouldn't be hard to incapacitate them then find Faison, again Pierre's information about the yacht should be helpful.

Robert wants to run on board and drag Faison out, maybe he'd put up a fight and he would have to shoot him. He also knows that he has to do this properly though, they can't make any mistakes bringing Faison in. They wait till they see one of the crew come topside then they make their first move. They board the yacht and come up behind him, Timmins grabs him and covers his mouth. Robert walks in front of him, while Fisher watches for the other crewman. "We have no fight with you, but we can't have you warning the man below deck, can we? So I'm sorry, but we are going to tie you up," Robert tells him, "And please don't try and fight, this won't be for long."

The crewman nods and makes no attempt to get away. Before gaging him, he tells them where the other crewman is. Fisher and Timmins put him out of sight, then go to find the one. Robert goes to find Faison, he wants time with Faison on his own.

When his cabin door flies open, Faison was about to yell at whoever would dare to disturb him like that, but stopped. There standing in the doorway is Robert Scorpio, with his gun pointed at him. "Well, this is a surprise Scorpio, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Faison says with a lear.

"Oh let's not pretend you don't know why I'm here, Faison." Robert stepped further inside.

"You've missed me Scorpio, I'm touched," mocks Faison.

"Your people made a mess of that attempted abduction of Katherine. Did you believe we didn't know she was in danger and who was behind that?" asks Robert. "Katherine's had a security team in place since she landed here in Port Charles."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Scorpio. Why would I want to harm Ms. Delafield?" Faison asks.

"I didn't say you wanted to harm her, but you would use her against me. You figured if you took Kate, then I'd come to her rescue. Then Anna would be alone, which you'd see as an opening to grab her again," Robert says.

"You think I would have to force Anna into coming away with me, we both know she's meant to be with me," Faison tries to convince him.

"Who are you trying to convince of that? I know for a fact she wants nothing to do with you," Robert insists. "You tried to make it look like Holly was sending notes that would indicate she was jealous. She came here and made it clear she wasn't behind them. That was your first strike"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Scorpio."

"Did you know Katherine didn't even know I was alive?" Robert asks. "Your notes lead her manager to look into personal security firms and came across my name. A few emails later and we had connected the dots and they draw a picture of you, strike two Faison," Robert tells him. "Your overconfidence will be your downfall."

Faison hadn't even thought about the fact Katherine might not know about Robert. Was it really just bad timing, or bad luck that Robert figured out the notes so quickly? It won't be easy to get Delafield, it might not even be worth trying now? Alex could be enough, Anna won't let her sister be held prisoner. "Well, you seem to believe I'm after Ms. Delafield. What if I gave you my word I won't lay a finger on her?" Faison asks.

"You won't be laying a finger on anyone except maybe your cellmate. I'm here to take you in Faison," Robert tells him.

"Oh, that won't be happening Scorpio," says Faison, as he looks over Robert's shoulder.

The Lair

Johnston heard the men coming up the stairs, who would be here? Faison wouldn't have called away two guards if he was expecting anyone out here tonight. Johnston quickly makes his way to the back staircase. When he gets to the main floor he looks around but doesn't see anyone there. He radios to the guards outside, who quickly appear in the main doorway. When Johnston heads towards them he doesn't notice the chain laying on the floor by the back door. "We have company, I heard people go upstairs. Someone must be here looking for our guest," he tells them quietly.

"That was the front door, I think the guards just came inside," O'Connor said, he's closest to the stairs. The team turns they have to go after those guards first, at least they know where they are. The team is back down the stairs quickly, O'Connor looks around the corner in the main hall, he holds up three fingers. They still have the numbers, suddenly there a shot fired, it would have hit O'Conner just seconds before. Quickly Edwards and Mac move to the other side of the doorway, they are now on the defensive.

"PCPD, lower your weapons," Mac calls out.

"That's not gonna happen, cop," yells back one of the guards. "You have nowhere to go."

"We have you outnumbered and there's back up on the way." Dante had called it in as soon as there was a shot fired. Another shot comes their way.

Sean watched the other van leave then impatiently waits to hear anything from the team still inside. Another shot rings out, who's shooting at who? He grabs his walkie-talkie, "What's going on, has anyone been hit? I need a status report over."

"They shot at us first, we returned fire. None of us have been hit, over," Greene answers.

Sean breathes a sigh of relief, he doesn't want anyone injured. Then there's more gunfire, Sean stares out into the night. They better hurry up and get out of there.

The three guards start shooting again, the team has no choice but to return fire. Edwards goes down, they keep firing, Then they notice the return fire has almost stopped, they cease fire. "DON'T SHOOT, I'm putting my gun down. The other two are down, I give up." Yells one of Faison's men as he comes into sight with his hands over his head.

When the shooting had stopped, three people lay on the floor. Edwards has been shot in the shoulder, and two of Faison's men. One has been shot in the chest and the other in the leg. Mac hopes the back up will get there soon. Dante walks over to the man that surrendered and places him under arrest. Mac goes over to talk to the man who was shot in the leg. "You're Johnston correct? Where are the other two guards?" Mac asks him.

"I'm bleeding here, how about some medical help?" Johnston snaps.

"Greene, once you're done with Edwards, come take a look at this leg," Mac tells her. "Not a doctor but it's about all we've got. Now, are we going to get ambushed while trying to save you two?" O'Connor had already gone over to the other guard and was now applying pressure to his wound.

"There's only one other guard here tonight, but he's busy with someone else, he shouldn't come up here," Johnston finally answers.

"Oh that's right, Dante would you go get our friend from downstairs. He can wait here with the others," Mac says. "We have already removed your prisoner, Johnston. Where are the other two men?"

"They went into town for the night, everyone needs a night off now and again," says Johnston.

They hear the sirens, and then the room fills with police officers followed by some EMTs. "Donely, come in. We have four in custody, the other two aren't here, your team is coming out, over," Mac says into his walkie-talkie.

"Copy that, over and out," Sean answers.

Greene and O'Connor come walking up to the van, and climb in to join Sean, "Where's Edwards?" Sean asks.

"He was shot in the shoulder it looks like a nice clean through and through, but they are insisting he goes in and has it looked at," Greene tells him. "Mac and Dante are going to the station when they take Faison's men in so I think we can head back to town."

DSPS Office

"You two can stay up here if you want, I'm going to take Alex downstairs," Anna says to Lee and Ryans as they enter the main office. "Come with me Alex, Kate's room is nicer than sitting around in my office."

Kate's jumps up when the door open, Anna and Alex walk in. "Sorry to intrude I just thought we'd be more comfortable waiting for the others to get back down here with you," Anna says as they enter.

"You got her out," Kate smiles then goes and hugs Anna. "This is great, how long until everyone else is back?"

"It's hard to say for sure. We got sent back here as soon as we heard some gunfire. Oh sorry, Kate this is my sister Alex, Alex this is Kate."

"It's nice to meet you Alex. I'm glad we're meeting here and not where you just came from. I was meant to join you there, so I could be your cellmate," Kate tells her.

"Oh really? It is nice to meet you here then. This is a much nicer place to make new friends," Alex smiles.

"Is everyone else OK? You said there was gunfire."

"We were already in the van, we didn't see anything. We had the target and our job was to get her to safety and that's what we did," Anna tells her.

There's a knock at the door, then Ryans and Lee come in. "Do you mind if we wait here as well? We ordered some pizza," Ryans asks.

"Well since you ordered food, sure you can," Kate answers. "But how can you guys think about food right now?"

"We can't do anything else but sit here and wait, our part of tonight's mission has been completed. So waiting for pizza at least gives us something positive to think about. That and I'm starving," says Lee.

"Anna is Faison in Port Charles?" Alex asks. "I saw him, but I'm not sure where that was, it was on a boat though."

"Yes he is, but he is being taken care of as we speak," Anna answers.

"OK, just one more question. The last time I was here, I know there wasn't a music room down here. Why is there one now and why is it called Kate's room?" Alex asks.

"That's because you have an amazing brother-in-law. Robert didn't want me to be bored since I was spending my days here. He ordered the piano then Robin and I figured out what else was needed and now my room is where everyone likes to hang out," Kate answers.

"Robert did this for you, so you're connected to him like I'm connected to Anna. Is that's why Faison wanted to kidnap you too?" Alex guesses.

"Well, I have a history with Robert and we still care for each other. Faison apparently felt Robert would come to my rescue if I was in danger," Kate explains.

They sit and talk trying to pass the time while they wait for the others to return. Finally, the door opens again, "Look what was waiting for us when we got here," O'Connor says as he opens the door. Then he walks over and puts the pizza boxes on the table.

Greene and Sean walk in right behind him. When Ryans sees Greene walk in he gets up to go to her but stops. Greene doesn't she walks straight to him wraps her arms around him and kisses him. "Ash what are you doing?" Ryans asks a little shocked.

"It's OK, we don't have to try and hid our relationship, isn't that right Anna?" Greene says.

"That's right if it's meant to be no one can stop it," Anna answers with a smile she looks up to see both Sean and Kate smiling back at her. "Robert and I would never stand in the way of love." As she looked around she noticed not everyone had come back, "Where's Edwards?"

"He went to the hospital, he was shot in the shoulder, it's not serious but it needed to be looked at," Sean explained. "Two of Faison's men were also injured but nothing life-threatening. Mac and Detective Falconeri have gone to the station all four men are being charged with kidnapping."

"So now we're just waiting for Robert's team to check in right?" Kate asks.

"Yes, he should be back anytime or at least phone in," Anna says.

Anna tries to be patent but it doesn't last long. He should have been back by now, without thinking about what she's doing Anna starts pacing.

Loki's Wake

Fisher and Timmins walk out of the cabin they had put the crewmen in, and start walking towards Faison's cabin but hear other voices. When they get closer they see four men walking away from them and right towards Faison's cabin. They recognize Henderson and Marlowe, the other two could be part of the team that brought Alex to Port Charles. They see the four men draw their weapons as they get to the door, Robert's in trouble.

"You think you have me this time don't you Scorpio? Always so full of yourself, so overconfident," Faison taunts Robert.

A shot rings out and Robert falls forwards to the floor. Then there are more shots fired from outside the cabin, the men at the doorway turn to return fire at whoever behind them. Fisher and Timmins had taken cover, when Faison's men turned to face them they see one man fall having been hit, one down. Both sides are on the attack, Faison's men try to take cover as best they can in the small hallway. The two side aren't giving up, then Marlowe is hit and goes down, at almost the same time Fisher gets shot in the shoulder. Timmins is distracted when he sees Fisher go down. It was enough to give Henderson a free shot at him, Timmins takes a bullet and goes down as well, luckily his vest protects him but knocks the wind out of him. Henderson and Baker check their fallen men, both are dead.

When the shooting stops Faison wanders over to see what had happened. He watches as Henderson and Baker walk towards Scorpio's fallen men, still hold their guns on them. He wasn't expecting to get grabbed by behind, "You think I would have come here without some protection?" Faison feels Robert's gun dig into his back. The bullet that had hit him had winded him but his vest had saved his life. "What, the only way you can beat me is by having a hired gun shot me in the back?" Robert hisses into Faison's ear. Then drags him back into the cabin, and orders him to sit back down. Robert then ties him up.

Henderson and Baker don't hear the exchange behind them, they keep moving forward, not sure if either of the downed men are dead. The one hit in the shoulder stares up at them trying to reach for his gun, but Baker kicks it away. They grab Fisher and pull him to his feet, as Timmins draws in a shape breath. "Grab that one too, we better take them to the boss," Henderson says. Once they are on their feet Fisher and Timmins are dragged towards Faison's cabin. The sight that waits for them surprises them both. Scorpio is still alive and is now standing behind Faison who's tied to chair with a gun to his head.

"Shot them, then shot Scorpio." Faison orders.

"You think I won't kill you, Faison?" Robert snaps back.

"Oh you might, but you will also be killing your own men, Scorpio," Faison replied, he thinks they may have the upper hand once again.

Henderson and Baker aren't sure what to do. They know if they shot so will Scorpio, they could get him before he shots them but maybe not.

"SHOOT THEM!" Faison yells.

They still don't shoot, Henderson raises his gun then brings it down on the back of Fisher's head. Baker quickly follows suit and knocks Timmins out. Then they both point their weapons at Robert. "Do you want us to kill him?"

"NO, take his weapon I need him alive, for now at least," Faison tells them.

Robert knows they have him and throws his gun down. Henderson and Baker quickly grab him and tie him up. Then once Faison in free they drag the other two men out of the room and tie them up as well.

"So Scorpio who will be coming to your rescue? Will the lovely Anna come and give herself to me to save your sorry life?"

"Anna will never go with you, she hates everything about you."

"Anna is meant to be with me, you will finally be out of the picture and she will be able to admit her feelings for me," Faison says.

"You're crazy Faison, killing me will only make her hate you more."

"Shut him up. I don't want to hear another word from him." Faison orders when he sees his men re-enter the cabin. Henderson gages Robert then hits him knocking him out. "There will be people come for him and the others, you need to be prepared. Are the others dead?"

"Yes, they are. we'll watch for the others." Henderson says then they leave the cabin again.