Living On The Edge

by J.L. Dexter

Fed up with waiting, Ryoko decides to spice up her life with a new hobby. Leaving her past behind, she ventures out for something to occupy her time- but what troubles await her...? Will she find the strength to endure what fate throws her way?

6. On The Edge

Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo or surrounding characters. Any character not associated with the Tenchi Muyo series is my own creation. I do not own any of the quotations, they are property of their rightful owners. So please don't sue me….

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Living On The Edge- Chapter Five

* On The Edge *

~ Look into my eyes- you will see what you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there,

you'll search no more Bryan Adams-Everything I Do(I Do It For You)

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Hebrews 13:2

Make yourself a blessing to someone. Your kind smile or pat on the back just might pull someone back from the edge. Carmelia Elliot

* * *

Riley turned over and groaned. The movement irritated her and she began coughing uncontrollably. A small amount of pressure was applied to her shoulder and she looked up to see Clayton standing over her.

"Here, drink this. It'll help." Clayton said as he handed her a cup.

Riley smelled it and then looked at him uneasily.

"It's just Apple Juice. Drink it." Clayton urged tenderly.

Riley gave in and took a small sip of the liquid, which to her surprise was apple juice. She finished the beverage off and handed the cup back to Clayton. Clayton took it and stopped. He brought the glass up close to his face. He reached down and cupped Riley's chin in his hand.

"Hey! What's the big..." Riley stopped when she saw the look on Clayton's face.

Clayton rubbed his thumb on the edge of Riley's bottom lip. Concern flickered across his gray eyes as he set the cup down on the table and took Riley's face in his hands. Giving her a once over, he frowned.

"You've gotten worse. You've coughed so much that now you're coughing up blood." Clayton told her.

Riley paled. "So, in other words...I'm dying."

"Slowly." Clayton answered.

Riley swallowed hard. "It seems that you win this game of chicken. If I die, then you would have succeeded in killing me. But, you still won't get Zack. They won't award custody to a dead man."

Clayton nodded. "I know that...did you?"

Riley took a deep breath at his words. Should she die, she'd lose her son. But, she'd have the comfort knowing that Clayton wouldn't get him either.

"You know, if I die then Micki gets him." Riley stated harshly.

Clayton gawked at her. "Micki?! Why would she get him?"

Riley smiled evilly. "Because my family, if they are still alive and together, live in a foreign country. Zack is an American, and he will be raised as one. Micki has been there for me, for him. And she and Zack get along well. She is his aunt, why shouldn't she be his guardian?"

Clayton wrinkled his brow. "I agree. My sister would make a great mother, don't you think?"

Riley ignored him. She pried her face from his hands and sat back with her arms crossed. "We've both lost. I'm dying and you're already dead. Why keep this charade up, Clayton? Just let me go, it's not like I can stop you."

Clayton pondered it for a moment. "No can do. You may be dying, but not even death will stop you from getting your revenge on me. I know you all to well, Riley."

Riley narrowed her eyes. "You know nothing about me."

"In a way, I do. In a way, I don't. It's in the way I do, that I know you inside out." Clayton replied hastily.

Riley was about to counter retort when there was a knock on the door. Clayton got up and answered it.

Riley strained to hear the conversation but only caught bits and pieces of it. Things like, the time something would be arriving, the fact that someone was seen snooping around, or that Clayton's shipment would be arriving that afternoon.

It was all useless information to Riley. Everything had been useless. Her attempts to escape had been futile and she was quickly becoming weak. It had been five days since Clayton had taken her captive and with every day and waking minute, she was losing her grip on life.

Now, all she could do was hope and wait that someone would find her before it was to late. She had almost lost all hope that Elisa or Pierce would be coming for her, but she still had faith in her friends. Bitter faith until the end, but it was faith nonetheless.

It was then that Riley heard the faithful title of the TSF mentioned to Clayton and she leaned back to hear better. Riley caught the tail end of the information, but she did hear that the TSF had held up Clayton's shipment but it would be arriving today no matter what.

Clayton finally closed the door and returned to the chair across from the couch. His face was drawn into a tight frown and his eyes were small slits.

"Well, it seems that your friends have caused some trouble for a few of my boys about two days ago. You wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?" Clayton asked threateningly.

Riley rolled her eyes. "Hello! I've been here, in this grungy old place for the past five days. How in the hell am I suppose to know what's going on out there?"

Clayton turned red. For the first time since he and Riley had been insulting each other, he allowed his anger to appear.

"Don't you mock me, bitch! Best you don't forget that I can hurt you." Clayton seethed.

Riley never flinched.

Clayton glared at her. "No matter. The truck arrives today and when they do, I'll be rid of you. I should have already had you taken care of three days ago, but it seems that your buddies from the TSF had other plans. Make up your mind, Riley. Either hand Zack over, or die when my shipment arrives."

Riley blinked. "Some choices. I'd rather die. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

Clayton hung his head. "Then have it your way."

He stood up and left the room. Riley snorted and crossed her arms. This was going to be a long day...

* * *

Jess stared out the window of the car. Lex sat beside her while Jett sat in front of her. Elisa was behind the wheel following closely behind a large blue truck that had 'Clayton Freightliners' scrawled on its sides.

It had been nearly a week since all the shit had started and Jess was tiring of it quickly. She had visited Zack everyday and pretty much watched him during the night while Micki worked. The boy had faith that Jess would bring his mother back, and Jess silently hoped he was right.

After the day that they had busted the people working for the person in charge of the Ambassador's murder, Jess had sat down and analyzed all the data she had figured out during the bust. She made a few shocking discoveries and some, she wished she hadn't of revealed.

She went to Elisa and told her where Riley was. Jess said she felt certain that Riley was being held captive at the nightclub, 'The Wet Lily.' Apparently, whoever was holding Riley, also ran the club. It made sense and her suspicions were pretty much confirmed by the agents who checked it out.

They reported that the club held a small casino in the back of the building and that people were constantly winning thousands of dollars at a time. They even reported one dealer and a player cheating, it was an old trick where both worker and guest were raking in the cash.

And the owner obviously didn't mind. Jess had agreed that it seemed strange. So, she and Elisa had come up with the plan that they would take the shipment of fake money to the club, weasel their way inside, find Riley and bust the joint and the owner. Maybe then, they could get some answers.

Now, Jess sat in the backseat of Elisa's car, her stomach doing a million somersaults at once. She was anxious to get Riley back, almost as much as Zack, if not more.

Jess let her mind wander back about ten years into the past to a day when someone she loved deeply left her without a reason why. She had cried and been angry with the person, but a close friend had told her that she couldn't be mad at the other for becoming an independent.

Jess had thought it over. Her friend was right. She had become angry and frustrated because the person who was the closest to her had decided to make a life on their own. There would be no more depending on the family for that person and deep down, Jess couldn't help but to feel proud.

For years, things had spiraled downward between her and her loved one. But, Jess knew that a time would come that she'd eventually have to let go. When she'd be alone again. But, she had always had the feeling that the other person had long since let go and was just now able to leave.

It hurt her to think of it, but not a day went by that Jess didn't say a silent prayer or an 'I love you' to the person. She had vowed that one day they'd meet again, but even now, it looked as if her dream wouldn't be coming true.

Lex leaned over and rested her head on Jess's shoulder. Jess looked down at the young woman and smiled. Lex had practically grown up around Jess, and technically, Jess was old enough to be Lex and Jett's mother, but they all resolved to keep it a tight friendship.

Jess had pretty much watched over Lex and Jett for the past 15 years. Jess sighed. Fifteen years had passed by quickly. Fifteen years, that number marked how many years Jess, Lex and Jett had known each other. Of course there were others in Jess's life that she met 15 years ago as well.

And each day she thanked God for giving her such wonderful friends that eventually became the family she never had. Her real family had long since forgotten her, and she was determined to make the best of her remaining years....or weeks and days. Whichever came first. She just didn't care.

Jess stroked Lex's hair as she watched the trees go by. Jett turned around in his chair and stared at her with worry.

"Do you think we'll find her? Or at least get to her in time? I mean, you did say that you overheard those men talking and one mentioned that a girl had been shot and then taken hostage, right?" Jett asked uneasily.

Jess frowned. "That's right. But, I mean, while Riley may have been taken hostage, we can't say for sure on whether it was her that had been shot or not."

"I know. But, I have this gut feeling that it was her. I'm really worried." Jett commented.

Jess reached out and laid her hand on his hand. "We'll find her, and then take her home, where she belongs. With her family."

"Zack." Jett muttered as he turned around in the seat properly.

Jess closed her eyes and thought to herself. 'Yes, with Zack. He's her family, and we have to make sure that Riley stays with her family.'

* * *

Riley had nodded off sometime after Clayton had left. Now, she was wide-awake as someone grabbed her arm and yanked her off the couch. Riley yelped in pain from her injury and the roughness of the person. Getting her vision to clear, she saw Clayton, his hand squeezing her arm tightly.

"Clayton? Let me go, you're hurting me!" Riley cried.

Clayton drug her out of the room. Riley used what little strength she had to try and dig her heels into the carpet to keep from being moved. Clayton turned around with his anger visibly rising. Riley sneered at him and backpedaled away from him.

"Damn you, Riley!" Clayton muttered as he backhanded her hard. Riley stopped dead in her tracks and stared at him with horror. She quickly twisted in his grasp trying to get free but had no luck. Clayton let her tire herself and when Riley couldn't fight any more, he picked her up.

He deposited her into a big leather chair and got up in her face. "I just got a call from my inside spy. Apparently, the TSF busted my workers who were bringing me my shipment today. My source says that the TSF director Elisa Mezro and her agents are delivering the shipment. It's a damn setup!"

Riley cowered back. Clayton glared at her harshly. "Now, what do you think we should do about this little problem?"

Riley shrugged. "Let me go and you haul ass out of town." She retorted.

Clayton grabbed her shoulder and squeezed it. Riley winced as his fingers applied pressure to her pressure point.

"Wrong answer, Riley. What we're going to do is make a trade. You, for the boy. The hell with the money, I want my son. Now, when they get here, you'll go out and tell them our deal. Tell them that if they want you to live, that they are to bring Zack here to me." Clayton instructed.

Riley shook her head. "I won't do that. I'll tell them to torch this whole place down before I tell them to trade me for Zack."

Clayton fumed. He balled up his free hand and delivered a swift punch to Riley's chest. Riley slumped forward and started coughing. She grabbed her chest and gasped for air as Clayton laughed.

Riley's anger flared as she made a surprise counterattack on him. Her right first connected with his jaw knocking him back a bit. Clayton narrowed his eyes. He was about to repay the favor to Riley when a man interrupted him.

"Sir, the truck is here."

Clayton smiled as Riley frowned. Clayton yanked Riley to her feet and ushered her out into the club. A few men sat at a bar drinking and talking over their days. On a stage behind the bar, a woman in a skimpy bathing suit was dancing while a man constantly tried grabbing her.

Riley felt she was going to be sick. She looked over her shoulder at Clayton and growled, "You're a sick bastard, you know that? What kind of man would want his ten year old son working in a whorehouse?"

Clayton elbowed Riley in her back for the remark and Riley collapsed to her knees. A few people looked at them, but they all went back to what they were doing. Clayton grabbed Riley by the shoulders and drug her to the back entrance of the club where the truck was backing up.

Clayton shouted something and Riley saw about 20 men scatter among the bar and casino. Riley hung her head. Clayton's men were going to ambush Elisa and the others. Riley's mind was screaming, hoping that by some miracle, Elisa would not order her agents to raid the building.

She looked up when she heard a door slamming. A large burly man entered the club and nodded at Clayton. Riley didn't recognize him.

Clayton wrinkled his brow. "Drake, where are the others?"

The man shrugged. "Dunno, boss. Wey wus bust'd, ye kn'w? I wus told ta dry'v ta tru'k, so I drove."

Clayton tilted his head. "Where's Director Mezro?"

Drake scratched his head. "He'w?"

Clayton groaned. "Nevermind. Start unloading the truck."

Drake gave Clayton a pitiful look but obeyed his orders. Clayton stood beside a wall with Riley in front of him. Drake opened the back of the truck to see crates piled on top of crates. The smell of old fish wafted through the air to Riley and Clayton. Riley felt herself getting sick and went limp.

Clayton sighed and wrapped an arm around her to hold her up. Clayton made sure Riley was visible to anyone staring into the club. Taking a chance that Elisa would be near, Clayton called out to her.

"MEZRO? YOU THERE?" Clayton called.

Silence answered him, but then he heard, "I'M HERE! WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

Clayton smiled. "COME WHERE I CAN SEE YOU. I HAVE SOMETHING I WANT TO SHOW YOU!"

Riley whimpered as the hilt of Clayton's extra gun bumped her side. Clayton apologized and put a little air between them.

Elisa waved a white bandana in the doorway to where Clayton could see it. Riley watched as Elisa stepped in the doorway. Her hazel eyes turned large when she saw Riley.

"RILEY?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?" Elisa screamed.

Clayton sighed. "Now, calm down. I have a proposition for you, Mezro."

Elisa studied the man before turning white herself. "Bennet."

Clayton grinned. "Glad to see you remember me, Director. I was afraid that I would have been forgotten."

Elisa shook her head. "No. You're dead! What kind of trick are you playing?"

Riley shot Elisa a look of pity. Elisa frowned. Riley didn't look good. Her eyes were dull and she had bags from sleepless nights. Her cheeks were flushed and sunken in and Elisa could tell she was very weak.

"Director? My proposition." Clayton reminded her.

Elisa slowly lifted her gaze to him. "What do you have in mind, Bennet?"

Clayton smirked. "Please, call me Clayton. My deal is this. You may have your dear Agent Riley back, but in return, I want my son!"

* * *

Jess was crouching under a window on the side of the club. She peered inside to see a well decorated room that appeared to be empty. She headed back around to where the others were waiting.

Jett, Lex, Pierce and Jason stood off to the side talking about ways to get in. Jess shook her head when she saw them looking at her.

"It looks like the only way in is the window on the side. It leads to a tiny room, which seems to be empty at the time. Where's Elisa?" Jess asked.

Jett pointed inside and Pierce decided to explain. "Someone called her from inside. They said they had a deal for her. She's been in there since you walked around to the side."

Jess studied him and then nodded. "So, then no word on what's going on?"

Pierce shook his head no. "Not at this time, your honor."

Jess 'hmmed' and then sat down. She took out her palmtop and started to input some data. She was working diligently away when Elisa came running from inside, her face flushed and her eyes red with tears.

"ELISA?! What's the matter?" Lex asked with concern.

Jess looked up to see Elisa towering over her. "I know you can do something, Jess. You have to help her. Please, I'm begging you."

Jett, who had been standing to the side, observed Elisa. His eyes narrowed and then widened when he spotted a deep crimson coloring on her shirt.

"Elisa, you've been hurt." Jett pointed out as he quickly searched her for wounds.

Elisa pulled away. "No, not me. It's from Riley. She's been injured. That bastard, Clayton, shot her."

Jess felt dizzy. "Shot? Is she alright?"

Elisa shrugged. "I don't think so. She was really weak, and pale. Her shirt...it was so soaked with blood. Her blood, and Clayton refuses to help her."

"Who is Clayton?" Jess asked hurriedly.

Elisa stared at her with a dazed look. "Zack's father."

"WHAT?! I thought he was dead? Riley said he died four years ago." Jess commented with disbelief.

"Yeah, well he's alive and kicking. Riley said something about 'double jeopardy,' and how he used it to his advantage. But, he has made an offer, that I must refuse." Elisa stated, her voice full of fear.

"And what kind of offer is it?" Jess asked flatly.

Elisa hung her head. "He said he'll release Riley, only if, he gets Zack. He wants custody of him, but Riley won't allow it. And neither will I."

Jess nodded. "That makes three of us. I'm not sacrificing his life for Riley's. Riley can take care of herself, that I know for a fact, but she's wounded and needs help. Jett, Lex and I can help her. You just focus on taking out the 20 or so gang-members, this Clayton has set up, and we'll do the rest."

"How can you say that?" Jason questioned. "Riley is in trouble. It'll take more than just three undercover misfits to save her."

Jason moved forward but Jett stopped him with a sword that had appeared out of nowhere. "We'll take care of Riley. We stand a better chance than all of the TSF agents put together. If you try and help, I'll personally tear you limb from limb, got it?"

Jason nodded with fear and Jett put the sword away. Jess showed Elisa the screen on her palmtop. She had pinpointed the location of every member in hiding inside. They had planned an ambush on the TSF, but Jess had other plans in mind.

Elisa gave the instructions to the other agents as Jess filled Jett and Lex in on their roles. She also had a role for Jason and Pierce and turned to explain the operation to them. Jason was there, but Pierce was gone.

"Where is Pierce?" Jess asked intently.

Jason motioned his hand inside. "He said he wasn't going to wait around for a bunch of pansy foreigners to do his job."

Jess swore under her breath. She explained Jason's job and then dismissed him to his post. Then she led Jett and Lex to the window she had found on the side. Jess showed Jett where to trim the window so that the glass wouldn't shatter and the young man set to work.

Jess applied a heavy-duty suction cup to the glass and pulled the whole sheet away from the window. Setting it down, she and Jett hoisted Lex and a furry brown animal through the window. Jess gave Jett a boost and then pulled herself through as well.

Just as before, the room was empty. Jess pulled the curtain over the open window and showed the other two where they were to hide. It wasn't long before they heard the voice of a man in the hallway. It sounded like he was arguing with someone and he was very unhappy.

Jess watched as a young man entered the room with his arms around Riley. The man dumped Riley's weak body on the couch and then turned back to the door. Jess strained to hear what he was saying from across the room.

"I don't care what you have to do, take Mezro out of the picture." Clayton ordered.

"But, Clayton...Elisa is too smart to fall for something like that."

Clayton grew frustrated with the other person. Jess couldn't see who it was because they stayed hidden behind the door as they argued with Clayton.

"Dammit Sly, if you don't follow orders, then I'll make sure you get your just reward. If you want Riley, take out Mezro. And take out those three meddlesome agents from Tokyo you told me about. They could be trouble." Clayton argued.

"Sir, Elisa has agents stationed on every square inch of dirt outside. If I make a move with her out there in the open, they riddle this place full of holes. We'd be taking a risk with our lives if I knock Elisa off in front of everybody." The other man explained.

Clayton nodded. "You're right. Fine, get her to come inside and then take care of her."

"Yes sir."

Clayton shut the door. As he tuned away, Jett rushed up behind him and grabbed him. Lex bolted the door shut and then helped Jett with Clayton.

Jess emerged from behind a statue of armor and tossed the white bandana Elisa had used earlier to Jett. He wrapped it around Clayton's mouth and sat him down in a chair.

Jess rushed to Riley's side and shook her lightly.

"Riley? Riley, honey...wake up." Jess whispered in her ear.

The others watched with anticipation, but Riley remained unconscious. Jett balled his hands up and stared at Clayton.

"You bastard. What have you done to her?" Jett asked with anger.

Clayton shook his head. Jess yanked the bandana off his face.

"I didn't do it. And who the hell are you people anyway?" Clayton questioned.

"We're the three meddlesome agents from Tokyo. You did this to Riley, and you'll pay for it. I swear you will. And you will never get your hands on Zack." Jess threatened.

Clayton stared at them. "Seems that you three are about as much trouble as I predicted. Already, you've stormed my club and are holding me hostage."

Jett got in his face. "At least until we kill you."

Clayton flinched slightly. He sighed and sat back, a twisting smile coming to his lips.

Riley started to stir and her eyes fluttered open to see Jett kneeling beside her.

"Riley...it's me.....Jett." Jett tried talking to her.

Riley sat up and nodded. "Jett, where is Elisa? She didn't agree to Clayton's deal, did she?"

"Of course she didn't." Clayton answered from the chair.

Riley jumped but relaxed when she saw that Subira was standing guard over him. Riley reached out and scratched Subira's head. The large white tiger turned and stared at her with large yellow eyes.

"Good girl." Riley told her as she stood up. She instantly grabbed her side and fell back onto the couch.

"Riley, are you alright? You shouldn't stand." Lex chided as she handed the injured woman a pillow.

"Thanks, kid." Riley said as she laid her head back.

Jett looked around. "Where'd Jess wander off to?"

"I'm here. I just had to go see Elisa real quick." Jess's voice answered as she crawled back through the window. She looked around and gave a slight nod.

Lex tilted her head at the woman. "Do you have anything Riley can take for the pain? She hurts really bad."

Jess quirked an eyebrow. Her face brightened as she went to Riley's side and took her hand. "Riley, how are you feeling?"

Riley looked at her and snatched her hand away from Jess. "Fine. I don't need your help."

Jess looked horrified, but moved back. She set something on the couch beside Riley and turned back to Clayton.

From the corner of her eye, Jess saw Riley take the medicine she left on the couch. And then she chuckled to herself at the face Riley made when she  swallowed the pill.

Riley had forgotten to take it with water...again.

* * *

Elisa stood with her back against the building, a small two-way radio in her hands, and Jason standing stone cold beside her. On her command, Jason slipped around the corner and through the front door of the club. Elisa held her breath. When Jason was accepted inside, she exhaled.

Looking at her watch, Elisa sighed. Already an hour had passed since they arrived and Clayton was making this difficult. With Riley being held captive and injured, Elisa knew things would go slow. They had to think everything through first to make sure it would work, before making their moves.

That was the major down point to the operation. Riley was out of the picture, Pierce kept trying to get inside, and Jess, Lex and Jett were inside. And now, she had sent Jason in as well. The plan was to send Jason in as a paying customer. He would then proceed to the room Jess was in.

Jess had shown him a map and where the room was located. Once Jason had made his way to them, they'd make a distraction and get Riley out of there. Then, the TSF would move in and begin taking down Clayton's men. And all of this relied on whether or not, Clayton had been restrained.

Elisa cracked her knuckles. She was nervous and scared. Jess had reported back that they had successfully restrained Clayton and that Riley was out of the loop. She had also mentioned that someone would try to get Elisa to go inside and that she wasn't to go, no matter who it was who asked her.

She was about to peek around the corner when someone tapped her shoulder. Elisa spun around to see Pierce.

"Pierce! Why did you sneak off like that?" Elisa asked irritably.

"Sorry. But, I found a way in. There's a small cellar window on the other side and the basement is left unguarded. We can get in and then take them down once we're all inside." Pierce explained.

Elisa ran the idea through her head before remembering Jess's warning. She gasped. Turning her hazel eyes to Pierce she declined.

"It sounds like a fool-proof plan, Pierce...but we can't take the risk. Jess and the others are inside, if we were to make a move now, we can screw up their plans. They have Clayton, and now Jason is inside. As soon as I hear from them that he found them, we'll get Riley out of there and then go in."

Pierce looked baffled. "They already made it in? And they have Clayton?"

Elisa nodded with vigor. "Yes. Jess needed your help, but you had disappeared, so she used Jason instead."

It was at this revelation that Elisa noticed how pale and distant Pierce had become when she mentioned that Clayton had been captured and that some of their people were inside.

"Pierce...what's the matter with you?" Elisa questioned as she gave him a quick shake.

Pierce stared at her. He could refuse her orders and lead some agents inside without her, but he'd be pushing his luck. He was about to suggest something when someone interrupted him.

"Director Mezro!"

Elisa cut her eyes to her right to see a young man running towards her.

"Yes?"

The man stopped. "Director, we just received a call from the NYPD...'"

"The NYPD?!" Elisa repeated with puzzlement.

"Yes ma'am. The TSF just lost an agent...Angela Byrne. Someone reported screaming coming from her apartment and when the police got there, Angela was dead. It seems someone who is on the other side, broke into her apartment, murdered her and then made off with the recording of the treaty."

Elisa was frozen in shock. "When did this happen?"

The man stood up straight. "Last night. They weren't able to identify her right away because her face had been cut up pretty bad. They announced that two shots had been fired, both striking her in the chest killing her instantly. There aren't any clues as to who did it, either."

"Completely flawless..." Elisa mumbled.

The man nodded. "I'm sorry Director. I know that Agent Byrne was new on the force and losing her is a great loss indeed."

Elisa sighed. "Yes, it is. She played a vital role in our unraveling of this mystery. And the recording she was decoding, was a prime key as well. Damn. Seems we have to rethink our strategy before making another move."

The man apologized for Elisa's loss once more and then ran back to the TSF van parked down the road. Pierce remained quiet through the whole story. Elisa looked him up and down and frowned.

"Well, at least we have Riley and Clayton. I guess this raid isn't a total loss after all." Elisa pointed out as she headed around to the back with Pierce on her heels.

"Elisa...maybe we should pull out. We have to release that bastard Clayton because our sting failed. Without any evidence of Clayton being the one behind the murder of Ambassador Wui, we have nothing to convict him on." Pierce insisted calmly.

Elisa nodded. "I know. But, we still have the money in the truck. I'll be damned if I'm going to let him go without pinning counterfeit capital on his ass." Elisa trailed off. "Pierce, would you tell Agent McCann in the truck to go ahead and go downtown with the shipment, please."

"Oh...and Pierce. Would you mind riding with him so that you can make the report? I want it to be ready and filed by the time we bring Clayton down." Elisa added sullenly.

Pierce nodded slowly and headed for the truck while Elisa turned to the window. Pressing the call button on her two-way, she waited for Jess's response that came seconds later.

"Yeah?" Jess's voice came over the radio.

"Jess...we have to pull out. As soon as Jason gets there, I want you all to evacuate. This mission has been terminated." Elisa told her, her voice full o despair.

"What? Why?" Jess questioned rashly.

Elisa took a deep breath. "Because we don't have any evidence to pin on Clayton for the murder of Wui. All we have is the illegal money in the truck and I've already had it sent downtown to HQ. I need you get Riley and Clayton out of there soon."

"Elisa...what's going on? Why do we have to abort?" Jess asked again.

"The only evidence we had to pin Clayton with was stolen last night. The night of the treaty, HuLi and Wui exchanged conversation, but it was too low to hear..." Elisa explained.

"Yeah. I remember." Jess stated lowly.

"Well, it seems that someone broke into Angela's apartment last night after she had decoded the data. They stole the disk the information was on and then...murdered Angela. Without the disk, we have no hard core evidence on the death of Ambassador Wui." Elisa whispered.

"She's dead...." Jess said to no one in particular. "That's awful, I'm sorry... Elisa...?"

"I'm still here. How's Riley doing?" Elisa questioned with hope.

Jess sighed. "Not any better. I gave her something for the pain and she seems to be a little bit more comfortable, but she's in pretty bad shape."

"We can't wait any longer, Jess. Go ahead and send out Riley...she obviously needs medical attention and she's not getting it inside there." Elisa ordered.

Jess hesitated. "....Right. I'm sending her out now. Just be ready to help her."

"Don't worry...." Elisa replied as she clipped her two-way to her belt. As she waited for Jess to send Riley through the window, she watched the freight truck pull away from the building. Elisa turned back to the window.

As if on cue, there was a loud explosion. Elisa turned around to see the truck in flames.

"OH MY GOD?! PIERCE!" Elisa shouted as she ran to the truck.

Over her radio she heard, "Elisa...what's going on? What was that explosion?" Jess asked frantically.

Elisa shielded her eyes from the heat as she neared the driver's side. Shaking her head, she dropped back. There wasn't anything she could do to help Pierce or Agent McCann...

"ELISA! COME IN!"

Elisa picked her two-way up.

"WHAT'S GOING ON, ELISA? ANSWER ME!" Jess screamed.

"The truck....it just exploded....it...." Elisa stopped.

"WHAT? Was anyone injured?" Jess questioned.

"Everyone who was in the truck....didn't make it. Jess....Pierce was in the truck." Elisa said, her voice shaking with disbelief.

Elisa heard Jess sigh heavily. "This is bad. We're all coming out. Jason just arrived, we'll be there shortly." Jess stated over the speaker.

Elisa nodded absently as she continued to watch the flames lick the metal of the truck. She placed a hand over her eyes and hung her head as the tears trickled down her cheeks. So many agents had been lost in the past week.

Elisa remembered the number of Agents who had given their lives for the TSF. The night of the treaty they lost 64 agents. During the raid at the warehouse...13. And now...Elisa shook her head. There were close to a hundred agents hiding in the back of the truck.

And then there were Agent McCann who had sat in the cab with one of Clayton's men, the man's life was also taken. And finally....Pierce. She had asked Pierce to ride downtown with McCann...in the truck. Now, he was gone.

Elisa hid her tears. "When Riley hears about this, she's going to hit the floor." She took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry, Riley. I didn't mean for any of this to happen...at least not like this."

* * *

Jess instructed Jett to help her with Riley. The man shot her a look of questioning but complied. Jess wrapped her arms around Riley's left side tenderly so she wouldn't apply anymore pressure or pain to the wound and Jett followed suit on Riley's right side.

They lifted Riley to her feet and both were surprised to find out how light she really was. Jess frowned. Riley was lighter than she should be and Jess felt a pit in her stomach grow with concern. Jason and Lex stood by and watched them lead Riley to the window.

Feet from the sill, there was a loud explosion that rocked everyone off their feet. Riley was knocked back but her fall was broken by Jess's body.

"What the hell was that?" Jason asked as he sat dazed on the floor beside Lex and Clayton.

Jess gingerly sat Riley back, asked if she was okay and murmured, "I don't know."

Contacting Elisa, Jess was horrified to hear that the freight truck had blown up with a large number of agents inside it. She was even devastated when Elisa said that Pierce had been in the truck as well. Even though Jess didn't care for Pierce, she knew that the news wouldn't sit well with Riley.

Jess dropped her two-way and picked up Riley. "We have to get out of here, now. Jason, you and Jett get Clayton...Lex, let's go."

Jason was about to protest but held his tongue when he saw Jess pick Riley up with ease. Jess was much smaller than Riley was, so how was it possible that she was able to carry Riley by herself? Jason shook his head and helped Jett with Clayton.

Jess ordered for Jett and Jason to go through with Clayton first, followed by Subira and Lex and then she and Riley would bring up the rear. Jett nodded and ushered Jason through the window when someone shouted from behind.

"Stop right there. Let Clayton go...."

Jess spun around to see a man with a mask on standing in the middle of the room. Four very large and gruff looking men stood behind the first.

"I said let him go...Let him go and we'll consider letting you live through your torture." The first man repeated.

Jett and Jason looked at Jess who frowned back at them. The man fired a warning shot into the ceiling causing sheet-rock and dust to hit the floor.

"Do it. Let him go." Jess ordered through clenched teeth.

Clayton slowly walked past Jess and then turned to face Riley. He reached a hand out but Jess moved back out of reach. Clayton frowned.

"Clayton...you're an awful bastard, you know that? I once trusted and loved you and to think that you'd go and do something like this...What kind of TSF agent kills his own kind?" Riley spit out with difficulty.

Clayton's expression softened. "One who wanted out...."

Riley rolled her eyes. Jess felt her shiver as Clayton ran a finger over Riley's cheek. Riley wriggled free from Jess's arms and slid to her feet.

"I hope you rot in hell for this, Clayton. What you have done not only to me, but my son and friends is unforgivable. If I have to track you down and take you to hell personally, then I will do so. You won't get away with this." Riley bit out as she moved closer to him.

Clayton tilted his head ever so slightly. "I think I already have. According to the Constitution and the Fifth Amendment...I'm a free man in death. You can't stop me, Riley. And if you try, you'll end up hurting."

Riley glared at him viciously. "Then bring it on."

Clayton chuckled as he reached out to her. Grabbing her face with his hands, he gently planted a kiss on her lips. "Vinegar and fire, Riley. You haven't seen the last of me....and just know that I'm coming for my son one way or the other. Nothing you can do will stop me...."

Clayton dropped his hands and ran from the room. It was then that Riley noticed that the man who had stopped them from escaping had started a fight between he and his men and Jess and the others. Riley stood dazed admist all the confusion, her mind swimming with puzzlement.

Riley watched as the fight ensued with malice and hatred. A man tumbled at her feet and she heard a cry that sounded distant and yet so close that sounded like, "Damn barbarians....kick all their asses!"

Someone passed in front of Riley catching her attention. Jess stood with her arms pinning an enemies arm behind their back. Fire flashed in Jess's green eyes as she dropkicked the man in his back. He landed with an 'oof' before Riley, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Jess looked at her and frowned. "Get out of here...go!"

Riley shook her head. "I won't leave. I never leave friends behind. Nor do I leave my comrades....best you remember that, Jess!"

Jess's face dipped with a nod and she turned around as someone tackled her. Riley picked up a candleholder and moved behind the man who had Jess pinned to the ground, but before she had a chance to knock him out, Jess threw him off her and delivered a swift punch to his jaw.

The man teetered and then dropped back to his knees. Jess stood up and wiped a drop of blood from her lip.

"No one draws blood on me....it's the other way around!" Jess stated as she landed a right uppercut to the man's face. He leaned forward and then fell with a 'thud' on his back.

Riley looked at Jess and then the candlestick. She shrugged and tossed the antique candelabra to the ground. Jess smirked. "You shouldn't be fighting, Ryo...Riley! You'll inflict more pain on yourself."

Riley turned her back. "The hell with pain...if it's a fight these guys want then it's fight they will get."

Jess stared at Riley's back and then watched the other woman quickly jump the man who had started it all. Riley tried landed punch after punch, but her injury just slowed her down. It was then that something occurred to her...this guy wasn't fighting back. He just kept dodging her swings.

'Odd....' Riley thought as she swung again. This time, the pressure was too much for Riley and she toppled over to her knees. The man knelt down and caressed her cheek.

"Hide. Hide far away...." The man whispered to her.

Riley narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled. "Not important, Riley. Don't hurt yourself....I don't like it when you are hurt....or sad. So, run and never look back."

Riley crab walked back but the man moved closer. Riley felt her back ram against the wall. She was trapped. The man sat beside her and went to draw her in his arms when someone screamed Riley's name.

Riley's head shot up as she saw Jess rush to her. Her eyes were thin green slits, and Riley could have sworn that they held all the hatred and pain on the world in them. And she also could have sworn that she saw someone else standing in Jess's place. A shadow of someone from Riley's past.

Jess brought a sword down on the man's back. The man shouted out from surprise more than from pain as he rolled over. Jess glared at him and held her sword high, "If you ever touch her again, I'll kill you. If you ever look at her or think about her, I'll kill you."

Riley blinked at Jess's words. The man snorted. "Mother hen, mother hen..... why must you always spoil things, hmmm? Shouldn't you be running around screaming the 'skies falling' or perhaps screwing around with your pal, Jett?"

Jess's eyes burned with anger. She shouted something and brought her sword down only to have her arm stopped by Riley. Jess stared at her. "Get out of my way, Riley."

Riley shook her head no. "It's not worth it. We're all alive. Let this one run back to Clayton like the child that he is. Killing him won't solve anything... it's Clayton that we're after. Not one of his toadies."

The man stood up and crossed his arms. "It seems the mother hen and the baby chick have decided to run like cowards. But we will meet again, mother hen....and then there won't be any baby chick to stop you. I promise you that much." He quickly disappeared leaving his men behind.

Riley's eyes clouded over as something resurfaced in the back of her mind. She gazed at Jess, and frowned. She had tried so hard to forget....but it seemed that her past felt it was wrong. Riley felt tears come to her eyes.

Jess noticed the silence from Riley and turned downcast green eyes on her.

"Riley? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Riley tried to answer but found herself kneeling on the floor coughing violently. Jess crouched beside her and lifted Riley's chin up to see her face. Riley saw the woman's lips curl down in a frown.

Jess traced Riley's lip. "Let's go. You're in really bad shape. If I let you die now, I'll be letting Zack down. And I don't want to do that. All of this would have been for nothing if that happens. Come on."

Jess pulled Riley to her feet and ushered to the window where Jett was waiting. Jason and Lex had already left and were waiting outside. Jett and Jess were easing Riley through the window when Riley swore out loud.

"Damn. I promised Clayton a challenge in chicken, and we didn't get to play!"