Hello! Welcome to day 14! Thank you to ChibiDawn23 and Strandstorken for their help with this one. Thank you to Hawk, 2NYwLove, SmackedCaskett, ChibiDawn23 and Lizbet2008 for your reviews :D

This is the first of a two part story!

Mac listened to the conversation between their captors and Flack. Half of it at least. Don's words were muffled, but Mac could hear the demands from the men who had held Hawkes, the bodega owner and him hostage for the last few hours.

He and the doctor glanced at each other.

'What do you think, Mac?' Hawkes asked in a low voice as he rubbed his arms and shivered.

Mac shook his head slowly. 'I don't know, Sheldon. At least they're talking to Flack now. That's some progress.'

Turning to the third hostage, Mac touched his arm. 'How are you doing, Mr Grimaldi?'

The older man shrugged, lifting his hands. 'I'd prefer to be somewhere a bit warmer, but eh - it's saved me attending my son's office drinks party. But,' he continued with a snort of derision. 'Why these fools came here for money I don't know. This is a bodega, not a goldmine.'

Mac hid a smirk. The moment of lightness faded fast: Holly's Christmas carol concert at pre-school was only a few hours away and the chances of him making it were rapidly disappearing. What Stella would do also worried him; she had to know by now what had happened.

Their captors were now arguing between themselves, negotiations with Flack apparently over for the time being. Mac's patience dwindled further.

'Bad timing on your part, huh?' Mr Grimaldi nudged him. 'Not what you expected when you walked in to interview me?'

Ma grunted. 'Not exactly.'

'In the wrong place at the wrong time,' the older man continued, and Mac tried not to sigh. 'Bad luck, very bad luck. I mean, what are the chances of you coming in to interview me about a robbery I witnessed at same time as someone tries to rob me? Crazy.' He shook his head, clearly relishing the situation.

Hawkes sent Mac an amused glance which Mac ignored. 'Least we got plenty of food to hand, should we need it.'

Mac stared hard at the doctor. 'I don't intend for us to be here for that long.'

'Be thankful Flack isn't here. He'd have broken into the chips by now,' Hawkes added cheerfully.

Rolling his eyes, Mac returned his attention to their two accidental captors. Accidental, but none the less armed. And although they had panicked when he and Hawkes and pulled out their weapons, they had been clear-headed enough to turn the situation around and take both them and the bodega's owner hostage.

The two men were still arguing although, Mac noted with interest, it appeared to be getting heated. Noting that his and Hawkes' Glocks were still on the counter, Mac shuffled towards them minutely. No one noticed. Mac moved a little more and stopped again. Hawkes and Mr Grimaldi were talking; their captors had begun speaking to Flack again. Nobody was paying attention to him.

A few more shuffles and he came within a foot of the counter. Turning towards Hawkes, Mac made eye contact and tilted his head to indicate his intention. Hawkes frowned, doubtful. Mac nodded reassuringly.

Their captors had their backs to him. Slowly, silently, Mac got to his feet. For a second he paused and then lunged for the counter.

Outside Grimaldi's Stores, shivering in the December afternoon, Flack heard a commotion in the crowd behind the police tape. Looking over, his heart plummeted at the sight of Stella pushing her way through.

'Oh great,' he groaned.

There was no time to say anything else.

From inside the store came shouts, the sound of gunshots and a crash.

Uh oh... Part two tomorrow! Do leave a review, please, I love them :D Lily x