Happy Holidays! And my apologies for the amount of time this has taken. Enjoy.

33 - Endgame

In the meeting room only Dovidi, Irons, Sarah, Luka, and Parsigie remained. The others had all left, Irons and Parsigie had raised the price amongst themselves so that only those with the deepest pockets could even consider the purchase. Luka had so far remained silent, and while his reason for being there was lost to Parsigie it was not to Dovidi and Irons. That bio-weapon was the only thing keeping his family out of the origination. And even though the power of the underworld now lay in the hands of the Russians, there was still a constant threat from the Italian Mafia. As the men discussed money and haggled over the weapon, Sarah found herself growing bored, just as she was about to join in the conversation, Luka's cell rang and after checking who the call was from quickly left the room.

Once he was gone, Sarah did not give the others a chance to begin their conversation. "Mr. D'angitino, a question?" The three other people in the room looked up, so far she had been more then quiet, and in the perception of Parsigie, not a serious threat to his gaining possession of the virus. "I want to know if there is an antidote. You're a selling a batch to us today – but what's to stop you from selling it to an enemy of mine and using it on me?" Irons almost kicked him self for not having thought of that, or more accurately, for having underestimating Dovidi. There wasn't anything to stop him from doing that, and without an antidote in his hands, whoever bought the damn stuff was just as susceptible to it as his prey.

"Antidote?" Clearly the others in the room were as startled as Irons. "There is one… but it's not for sale at present.

"Not for sale? Or you don't have it?" Sarah taunted him, but she kept a bit of sarcasm in her tone as well. She knew that if she spoke to seriously he would know she was asking because of Luka. The thought also ran through Dovidi's mind, Luka not being there would make telling easier, but what was to stop her from telling Luka? It was almost like a game of black jack, the virus was the chips the antidote or lack of one was black ace, Onica was his wild card. Did he let Sarah call? Or did he raise on her?

"Lets just say that it's within my grasp shall we?" Dovidi had side stepped the question, but he had also accomplished Sarah's purpose for her: Parsigie now doubted Dovidi.

~

"You know Gorgio, you've got lousy timing." Luka knew that this call was important but of all the things to be interrupted from this meeting was probably one of Gorgio's less fortunate mistakes.

"Do I now? Well then you'll have to pardon me for thinking that finding Callie might be on your list of priorities little brother, because I've just found her." On the other end of the line Luka was dead silent, thinking of Dovidi's pictures of Callie, wondering if she'd been working for the enemy all along. Misjudging Luka's silence, Gorgio continued. "I found her looking up that guy you couldn't find. I hacked into the email account of a contact of his and accidentally found this file on an 'Onica Kohl' Only the photo was of Callie. The file listed discrepancies between her file and her reality. She's apparently working at Excelsior Enterprises New Zealand Division and has no idea what the D'angitinos really do. The file defines her as 'questionable' but 'clean'." On the other end there was merely silence, followed by a click

***

"Callie?" Luka started dumbly at Callie, caught completely off guard they stood facing each other, each reminding the other of a deer caught in headlights. Luka couldn't tell what he was feeling, the shock had never been an issue – one way or another he had known for days now that Callie was here. wanted to accuse her of betrayal and abandonment, to beg atonement for not having come after her sooner, to simply hold her. After what seemed like long moments, the third won out and striding forward he put his arms around her and held her close. "Thank god." Was whispered softly into her ear.

Thank God? Callie fought down confusion and tears, standing numbly in the circle of his arms. Does that mean he doesn't hate me? It had never occurred to her that he might actually forgive her for everything that had happened. Always she had thought that he would despise her knowing that she had run off when he needed her, that she had let him suffer the wrath for her actions. He doesn't hate me! As the words leapt into her mind, relief leapt into her heart and she melted into his arms. Breaking the embrace she backed away, reminding her self that business came first. "There's no time for this."

"But…" Luka attempted to stop her, but she hushed him in her usual way by placing a finger to her lips. She acted as if everything was at it had been as if the last four months could simply be erased while he didn't even know where they stood. It was all so odd, yet all so typical, as if they had never parted.

"Please Luka," Her tone was pleading, her eyes confused. "Sarah's told me why you're here. In an hours time or so something's going to happen. When the critical moment comes, do what you came to then leave. Leave Luka, it's the only way I can protect you."

"Will I see you again?" The pain was obvious in his eyes; somehow it felt as if they were parting once again. She couldn't reassure him, after this she would have to leave New Zealand. He too would have to go, she couldn't assure him that this wasn't goodbye simply because she didn't know. Even so, he saw his answer in her eyes. Nodding painfully, he turned around to go back into the meeting room, but was stopped by her hand on his arm.

"Never forget I love you?" It was a statement, but the way she said as if it were a question. He wasn't sure he could answer her, so without answering he simply walked on. When he entered the meeting room, he could just barely bring himself back to being the somber composed gentlemen he was masquerading. The room was tense when he entered, attention – even scrutiny was now focused on Dovidi.

"My, I seem to have missed something." A raised eyebrow was all that they cared to reply.

***

The clock was ticking, an hour and a half was left until things were supposed to go down – normally Erik was coldly calm during these long waits. He wasn't this time – and he felt it. Inwardly he knew, knew that it was just one of the many signs of late that he'd lost his edge. The truth was he'd lost it with his last assignment, when he'd let human emotion get in the way of his judgement. He had promised Callie earlier that he would let Luka go – a promise that he was forbidden to make – a promise that at one time, he never would have, but somewhere along the line, rules and training had all been lost. He had grown weak and couldn't do his job – and that made worthless. More so it made him dangerous. As he sat in the dark, he made the decision he had long put off. One way or another this would be his final assignment.

***

Luka had taken his seat for less then ten minutes when Callie entered the room. It threw him off for a moment – but because they had spoken earlier, it did not send him into an all out panic. Across the table Irons hissed visibly, glaring daggers at Dovidi. When she saw her father Callie's step faltered, but forcing herself forward, she did what she had come to. Gluing on her most charming smile she turned to Dovidi and handed him a report. "I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting sir – but I'm afraid that this is of the utmost importance. It needs to be sent out by three this afternoon." Dovidi took it, brushing his hand against hers as he did so, it could've been an accident but both Kenneth and Luka was sure it wasn't as annoyance flashed in both their eyes. Sarah thought the scene comical, and Parsigie suspicious, but none save Luka saw it for what it was, Dovidi was threatening him, show them that he held the cards.

It occurred to both Luka and Kenneth that Dovidi must know something more of the past then he was letting on. Knowledge is a dangerous thing, and as Irons always said to know is to name, to name is to control. And the last thing he wanted was for Dovidi to gain control.

As soon as Callie was gone Kenneth shot Sarah a look that she interpreted as 'go along with this', when she nodded he turned to Dovidi. "Mr. D'angitino would you mind breaking for lunch? Sarah doesn't seem to be well. I'd like to make sure she's fit to continue." His words were accompanied by his most charming smile – but it wasn't difficult for Dovidi to see that refusal was not acceptable. Nodding he stood up.

"Of course, we'll resume in an hour." As they all filed out, Irons made a show of being concerned for Sarah, who in turn fringed illness. At last, as if it had just occurred to him, he called Ian to come take care of her while he went to ask Dovidi if there was a doctor about.

The moment he walked out the door Sarah lost any sign of being the least bit ill. Lets Go was relayed into Ian's mind. He was surprised though, the Witchblade had already begun to swirl before she spoke, that must mean that Callie was using it as well. For the first time it occurred to him that two women simultaneously channeling the Witchblade was a dangerous thing, and that if things went on the way the were one or more of it's current welders would be in very serious peril.

***

Dovidi knew something was coming the moment Irons called for a break in the negotiations. Not knowing what was going on, he could only go to his office and wait, minutes ticked by and a thousand possibility's went through his head – most of them were unpleasant. At last the door opened and a fairly upset Irons entered. He emitted a very cold hostility and it wasn't difficult for Dovidi to realize that he had severely miscalculated something.

"Tell me everything you know about that girl who was just in that meeting." For a second Dovidi didn't get it – what on earth did Onica have to do with anything?

"Her name is Onica Kohl, she's a graduate of Colombia University who has recently come to work for me. She is head of my Public Affairs department and greatly resembles Luka Giamano's former fiancé Calliope DeLancie. The point of having her there today was to shake him up." Dovidi said it as if it were the most obvious, normal thing in the world, but he knew by Irons stance that there was information he'd been missing.

It was visible that he was physically restraining himself from lashing out. In fact his teeth were clenched so that his words came out gruff and cold. "Onica Kohl doesn't look like Calliope DeLancie. She is Calliope DeLancie." He looked hard at Dovidi then continued. "In fact, the woman that you were dangling about like some pawn in a chess game was my daughter." In the ensuing silence Dovidi gulped visibly. This was one mistake that he'd most definitely pay the price for.

***

Parsigie didn't like this situation one bit, there were too many things he was being kept in ignorance of. Signaling his bodyguard he headed for Dovidi's office. As he did so he spied Sarah Pezzini and Irons bodyguard rounding the corner. Immediately he made up his mind. Something was transpiring, but he wasn't about to stick around and find out what.

***

From where he sat by the surveillance equipment Jake saw Parsigie moving and grew alarmed. It wasn't time for them to act just yet, they had enough info, a murder on Dovidi D'angitino and intent to buy a lethal substance on Parsigie, but it wasn't enough to get more then one of them a life sentence. As he pondered the situation it wasn't difficult for him to realize that waiting any longer would be dangerous. Making a decision he gave the signal to mobilize. As the others got into place he hoped and prayed that he'd made the right choice – and that Sarah would get away without incident.

***

Callie's cell phone rang but she ignored it. When it stopped after only two rings she knew it was Erik's signal. Rising quickly, she grabbed he gun from her briefcase – anything that might identify her she had removed from the computer – anything personal had been moved into her car. Anything else was irrelevant. Quickly she headed for Dovidi's office. Once again she used the Witchblade, simultaneously sending a flash of warning to Ian and Luka, and for a brief moment her mind was bridged to Sarah's. Each knew what the other would do, and each would act accordingly. Never once did it occur to them that what there were doing shouldn't be possible, and never once did eminent danger cross their minds.

***

Dana tapped nervously on Dovidi's door, she was hesitant to be the on bearing bad news, but there wasn't anything else for her to do. When she heard Dovidi say enter she went in and closed the door behind her. "I'm sorry sir… but there seem to be a lot of police and other… law enforcement outside – and more seem to be on their way." When Dovidi heard her he cursed. Irons who was in the room as well grabbed his arm. "Find my daughter – I'm not leaving without her." Hissing he nodded and the two men quickly left the room, having dismissed her presence the moment she'd delivered her message neither noticed that Dana still stood there.

***

Luka felt a sudden sense of urgency as he headed back to the meeting room, a moment later this was confirmed when Irons and Dovidi rushed by in the direction of Callie's office. Hoping this was what Callie meant by the 'critical moment' he moved towards Dovidi's office. He'd memorized the combination to the safe long ago.

When he got to the door, the closest person was a woman disappearing around the corner, quickly he moved into the room and went to the safe, when he opened the door there were only five vials. "Damn." He wanted to look for the sixth, but the sirens outside warned him otherwise. Grabbing them he put them into a briefcase that was meant to handle just that, and headed for the door, he'd have to find Sarah and Callie – but the question now was time. Before he reached it however, Callie came in. Without asking a question she handed him keys and a gun.

"My cars parked two blocks away. Get Sarah and Ian then get out of here. Head for the states." He took the keys and the gun, but didn't move. He didn't have to say a word Callie knew his questions – would this be good-bye again? She gave him one of her melancholy smiles and kissed him softly. "Go!" He separated himself from her – but still he was hesitant to leave. "Go now!" At last he went, leaving Callie to herself and whatever fate had in store for her.

***

Sarah already knew that Luka and Callie would handle the other end of their situation. For now however, she and Ian had something else to take care of, if Callie would handle Luka's safety then she would handle what Callie still needed to do. Running, she met Dovidi and Kenneth before they reached the second floor, and in a moment she was armored. "You're not going anywhere." Irons seeing her intent backed away, beckoning Ian to him, the two slipped away silently as shadows. Ian knew Callie was safe, now he had to tend to his master.

Dovidi glanced at Sarah as if she were a minor annoyance, grabbing his gun he shot at her, only to find his bullet bouncing off of a gauntlet that had magically materialized on her arm. Trying again and finding the same thing to happen he panicked and ran. Too closely behind him however was Sarah. As they made their way towards the lobby both heard the sound of sirens wailing, Dovidi was running out of options, and most likely running out of time.

***

Erik left concealment the moment Onica was notified and went after Parsigie immediately. "Freeze!" His yell was ignored and Parsigie ran, leaving his bodyguard to deal with the cop. Erik didn't blink but fired. Only to find his bullet met in mid air by another. He fired again to the same effect, and would've soon found himself fighting hand to hand if Dovidi hadn't come down the stairs at that exact moment firing blindly with Sarah close behind him. A bullet went stray and caught the bodyguard in his upper arm. The fraction of a second was all Erik needed to get away and go after Parsigie. As Sarah disarmed and apprehended Dovidi and Parsigie's bodyguard the face of the man who had left flashed through her mind as resembling Jake – the hair was the wrong color, and the man wore a slight beard, but the resemblance was there. As she was about to go after him Callie came down the stairs.

"I'll take care of these too. Luka's waiting for you downstairs, you'd better leave." Sarah nodded but hesitated to move, seeing this Callie said the only thing she could think of. "He's not going to go without you Sarah, please just leave." She was pleading and Sarah knew it, not seeing another option she gave Callie a hug then ran off. When she was gone Erik came back hauling Parsigie with him. A moment later the building was flooded with police. Across the melee she glanced at Erik and met his eyes. They told her that it was done, that this game was over.

***

Sarah and Luka headed for the other end of the Island as things went down at Excelsior Enterprises. Luka had already told her what had happened with the vials, they both knew that they would never find the sixth vial. As they destroyed the five vials that they had gained possession of they knew that though the immediate danger was over, the threat would always be immanent, always hanging just over the horizon, waiting to once again ensnare them.

***

"Did you get it?" Irons question was cold, and over the crackling of the fire it sounded almost contemplative, the figure that stood behind him was stiff, but he could tell that she was proud of something.

"Yes sir." She handed Ian the Vial, knowing that because she had never before been allowed to see the face of her boss that she should not attempt to touch him either.

"It's the one." Ian confirmed this with disinterest, then shot the woman between her eyes before handing the weapon to Irons. It saddened him that this was what Kenneth truly cared for, that it was not care for Callie or Sarah that had motivated him but the desire for control.

"Then it seems that again I've gained a victory." Irons grinned, icy and frightening as Dana lie dead in a pool of her own blood. And though the scene was macabre it didn't seem to bother either one of the rooms live occupants. You have won, Ian thought, but for victory you have lost all who might have loved you. It was a sorrowful thought, and as he thought it Ian learned what it was to pity.

~~~

The End?

Nope, wait until next year and you'll get a rather more resolved epilogue – that is of course, assuming I receive reviews. J

Calypso (Going to bed so she can get up at five tomorrow for the start of her vacation)